Slovakian robber who tore ring from pensioner’s finger is jailed

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday the attack was the third time Marion Pokuta had targeted Doris Burnett’s home – in February 2011 he was jailed for four months after twice stealing cash from her Great Horton property.

At the time of the attack in January, 22-year-old Pokuta was already on police bail having been linked to an earlier robbery at the home of an elderly Bradford couple in November.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said Mrs Burnett had lived independently with the help of her family and her nephew Clifford Lupton had just left her home when she telephoned him. He returned to find her extremely distressed and she said a man had come into her home and pulled her wedding ring from her finger, the only time it had been removed in 60 years.

Pokuta, of Falcon Street, Great Horton, was identified through CCTV footage from the area and yesterday jailed for a total of seven years after he admitted both robberies.

Mr Adams said after the raid Mrs Burnett was moved into nursing home where she died from a stroke in March, telling the court it was believed the robbery had a “profound effect” and continued to cause her “upset and stress” in her final weeks.

During the first robbery Pokuta and another man had visited the bungalow of Laura Clarke, 90, and her 89-year-old husband John pretending to be looking for work.

Pokuta had walked in saying he wanted a glass of water, but then ran towards Mrs Clarke and pushed her to the floor before grabbing two gold pendant chains from around her neck.

His lawyer told the court Pokuta’s life had been blighted by drugs and alcohol and he had expressed remorse. But Judge Durham Hall said: “What you did was wicked and cowardly.” The judge added he wished he could order Pokuta’s deportation and said it may be the provisions permit that to happen.