Sisters jailed for killing 87-year-old woman

Two sisters aged 17 and 19 have been jailed for the killing of a frail pensioner who had befriended them and given them sweets.

Two sisters aged 17 and 19 have been jailed for the killing of a frail pensioner who had befriended them and given them sweets.

Kellie Lyons, 17, was ordered to serve ten years youth detention for the manslaughter of 87-year-old Rose Mackenzie, and eight years concurrently for robbery.

Her sister Jean, 19, was ordered to serve eight years for the same crime and six years concurrently for robbing Mrs Mackenzie.

Old Bailey Judge Michael Coombe rejected their claims of remorse and called their crime as mean and despicable an offence as can be imagined.

He said the killing was so seriously that the sisters should be kept on licence for eleven years following their release.

Mrs Mackenzie, who the judge said was a happy and kindly woman, died a week after being attacked at her home on the Woodberry Down Estate, Manor House, north London, in February.

The sisters, masking their faces with balaclava helmets, broke in, attacked her and stole £800 from her hiding place in the bathroom.

Mrs Mackenzie died from injuries caused by kicks she received. The sisters, who lived in the same block of flats and had been befriended by the pensioner, blamed each other for the death.

Kellie cried as she was sentenced, but Jean who received a lesser sentence because she admitted her part in the robbery, held back her tears as she was led from the dock.