Eight years for addict who killed elderly woman

Paul Glynn Halstead was at the time addicted to heroin and wanted money for another fix when he saw Jean Myers, 89, walking home in Quarry Road, Gomersal, near Cleckheaton.

Sentencing him yesterday at Leeds Crown Court, Mr Justice Foskett said it was accepted he had not intended the tragic death of Mrs Myers “but if you gave it a moment’s thought, which I doubt that you did, you would have realised the risk you were taking doing what you did to an elderly person.

“It seems clear that she was unable to keep her balance during the attack and fell to the pavement. She sustained an injury to the back of her head that caused a skull fracture and significant subdural bleed into her brain. She died in hospital just under five hours later.”

The judge said: “The loss of a much-loved elderly parent in any circumstances is always felt keenly by the remaining family. To lose someone such as Mrs Myers who was still fit, active, lively and in good health, in circumstances such as these must cause unimaginable grief and not inconsiderable anger.”

Mrs Myers, who served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the war, was married for 65 years and was still leading an active life six years after the death of her husband “when her life, together with her bag, was snatched from her”, he said.

“You did not intend any of this at the time, but you now know what you have done and the effect this moment of selfishness, driven by your addiction, has had upon Mrs Myers and her family.”

He said Halstead would be able to start his life afresh on his release. “Very sadly, Mrs Myers has been deprived of several more years of active life by what you did. You should remember that for every day of the rest of your life.”

Halstead, 27, of Shirley Parade, Gomersal, admitted the robbery and manslaughter of Mrs Myers on June 17 and another robbery the same day on a 22-year-old woman.

The second victim tried to stop him taking her bag but the strap snapped. However a passer-by and an off-duty policeman chased and arrested him.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Bottomley said the case sent a clear message to people involved in such robberies “that people can die”.