'Savage' burglar brutally beat 86-year-old woman before leaving her to die

Vasile Culea was also convicted of wounding with intent the victim’s 88-year-old husband; former district councillor and alderman Kenneth Walker, at their home on January 14. Romanian national Culea “hog-tied” Mr and Mrs Walker – binding their hands and feet – while searching the couple’s Langwith Junction home in Derbyshire for £30,000 in cash which he found out about after claiming to have overheard two strangers chatting about it in a shop.

Mrs Walker, who also had a bag put over her head and died of a brain injury, was found dead in the kitchen by emergency services the following day after neighbours raised concerns. The court heard Mr Walker died some months later, although his death was not connected to the attack.

Culea had already admitted manslaughter of Mrs Walker and the grievous bodily harm of her husband, but prosecutors said he was guilty of fabricating “a nonsense” to cover up for an attack on the couple that went “far beyond any justification; savage in its nature – and sustained”.

The jury of 11 men and one woman unanimously convicted the 34-year-old after just two hours and 15 minutes, having heard his claim that he injured Mrs Walker after “slipping” on a spilt drink and stepping on her chest, after she “fell over” during his attack.

Mrs Walker suffered a fatal brain injury and was found dead in the kitchen by emergency services the day after the attack, after neighbours raised concerns. She had been gagged and had at least two coverings over her head that were knotted – a pillow case and a bin liner. Culea, who fled with £300 from a handbag after getting “scared” by sounds of a car outside, repeatedly lied about how the couple suffered the injuries.

Mr Walker’s injuries included a broken neck, with jurors told he died some months after the incident, although for reasons unconnected with the attack. Mr Justice Henshaw said he would carry out sentencing of Culea, of Grove Road, Church Warsop, back at the court on Friday.