Paul Monchnik died in the attack (Picture: Family photo)

An 18-year-old man killed a 91-year-old Second World War veteran by beating him, then dousing him with gasoline and setting him on fire.

George Steward has been sentenced to between 30 and 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder last month.

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Steward, of Detroit, murdered his next door neighbour Paul Monchnik by beating him and setting him alight, the Detroit News reported.

The victim’s son, Scott Monchnik, described his father as a ‘good and gentle man’.


His life was brutally taken from us by a monster. The terrible sickening feeling I get thinking that my dad’s last hour on Earth was filled with horror and pain, worse than anything he went through in the war. This man (Steward) has created a hole in all of us that is filled with anger and hatred, fear and loss. You have taken something that was not yours to take.

George Steward will be in prison for decades (Picture: Local 4 WDIV Detroit)

In court, Steward appeared to show remorse, describing his victim as a ‘good man’.

He said: ‘Each and every day I wish I could take it back.



‘I’m sorry for the loss I caused their family, for the heartache I put in their hearts. Hopefully one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.’

His sister Taige Steward said he was not a ‘monster’, while family friend Tyrone Davison said the family wants to appeal the sentence.

Mr Monchnik, who lived alone next door to Steward and his grandfather, repaired televisions after the Second World War.