Man found guilty of killing 100-year-old widow in Derby street robbery

'She was small, on her own, vulnerable,' prosecutor says

Artur Waszkiewicz was convicted at Derby Crown Court (PA)

Artur Waszkiewicz has been found guilty of killing 100-year-old widow Zofija Kaczan during a street robbery in Derby.

The 40-year-old knocked his victim to the ground as she made her way to church on 28 May 2018.

He stole her handbag and fled, leaving the bleeding woman lying alone in the street.

Ms Kaczan, who was born in Poland and survived a Nazi camp in the Second World War, suffered a fractured neck and cheekbone in the attack.

She died in hospital from pneumonia on 6 June. Her condition was brought on by the injuries sustained during the assault.

A jury at Derby Crown Court heard that Mr Waszkiewicz needed an "easy target" to steal from, as he wanted £20 to buy heroin from a drug dealer.

"She was attacked, she was thrown to the ground and her handbag was snatched from her," Lynsey O'Donnell, prosecuting, told the jury.

"She was small, on her own, vulnerable - an easy target for a man desperate for money.

"He attacked Ms Kaczan, yanking her handbag from her and leaving her injured in the road and driving off."

The court heard that the force used by Mr Waszkiewicz influcted severe bruising on the victim's arm.

The defendant, who said that he was a drug addict, was caught on CCTV driving a Seat Leon car minutes before the attack.

He was filmed slowing down as he caught sight of the victim.

Police arrested Mr Waszkiewicz after his fingerprint was recovered from a receipt in the stolen handbag.

He had fled Derby and hid under a bed at his mother's house in London, to try to avoid arrest.

The court heard that the 40-year-old had a number of previous convictions including shoplifting and one offence of battery.

Mr Waszkiewicz was found guilty of manslaughter and robbery and will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.

"Mrs Kaczan was an active member of our community, who although she had reached the milestone of 100 years, enjoyed her life going to church, shopping, having her hair done and attending the lunches at the Polish Centre followed by bingo," said a spokesperson for St Maksymilian Kolbe, the church the victim attended.

"She had a very difficult early life. Coming to Derby in 1949, she had found a degree of stability and tranquility. That tranquility was shattered by the brutal events of May 28, 2018."

"Despite the pain and suffering that she was in for the last week of her life, she had the capacity to pray for her attacker before she died," the spokesperson added.

"We believe she has found peace in the arms of her Heavenly Father."

Additional reporting by agencies