Yahoo News 'Cowardly' heroin addict who killed 100-year-old widow after violent mugging jailed for 15 years
A heroin addict who killed a ‘vulnerable’ 100-year-old holocaust survivor when he mugged her for £20 has been jailed for 15 years.
Zofija Kaczan was battered from behind and knocked to the ground by Artur Waskiewicz, 40, as she made her daily walk to church in Normanton, Derby, last summer.
He was found guilty of Polish-born Ms Kaczan’s killing at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday and was sentenced at the same court this morning.
Waszkiewicz, who was also born in Poland, bowed his head throughout the sentencing hearing flanked by one dock officer.
The mugger’s latest convictions have been added to a series of other crimes including battery, shoplifting, creating fake identity documents and motoring offences.
Jailing Waszkiewicz, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: “You are a coward. Of course, you did not know that Mrs Kaczan was as old as 100 years, but you certainly knew she was elderly, and you could see that she was diminutive – she was vulnerable and that you knew full well when you chose to attack her.
“You pushed her from behind with considerable force and at the same time you snatched her handbag, again with considerable force.
“All this for modest gain and for you to satisfy your craving for heroin.
“There is tragic irony in the fact that Mrs Kaczan had survived the unimaginable horror of a Nazi concentration camp and slave labour, as well as imminent execution – only to meet her end because of the cowardly and sordid actions of a petty criminal and drug addict on the streets of Derby.”
The court was told how Ms Kaczan was attacked as she made her way to St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church at 8.30am.
CCTV from neighbours showed her leaving her house last May before Waskiewicz was caught pulling over nearby in his Seat Leon.
In a window’s reflection, another camera showed Waskiewicz, get out of the driver’s side, returning shortly after and speeding off.
Her green handbag was found empty of cash and dumped nearby minutes later by a street cleaner while Waskiewicz went to buy £20 of heroin from his dealer.
After the attack she managed to make it to her church to ask for help before she was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries, including a fractured neck and cheekbone.
She died from pneumonia and jurors were told the condition could only have been brought on by the injuries she sustained.
Police arrested Waszkiewicz after his fingerprint was recovered from a receipt in the bag.
He drastically altered his appearance by cutting his long hair and changed the insurance details on his car.
The jury heard he was so desperate for cash that he had tried to sell his dog and asked neighbours for money.
Waszkiewicz, of Wolfa Street, Derby, denied ever seeing the pensioner and told the court he was not responsible for her death.
Following Waszkiewicz’s conviction, Lynsey O’Donnell, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “One of the saddest aspects of this case is that an otherwise healthy lady has lost her life so that this man could satisfy his selfish desire for easy money.
“Ms Kaczan was well known and well thought of within her community and all those who knew her are devastated by her tragic death.”
