Yahoo News Serial burglar's foul-mouthed rant as he's jailed for 23 years for killing pensioner he'd robbed
A serial burglar who robbed and killed an 84-year-old woman in her own home after asking for a glass of water has been jailed for more than 20 years.
Johnny Brazil, 27, launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Judge Jonathan Black as he handed him an extended sentence of 23 years and three months for the manslaughter of Joyce Burgess.
Ms Burgess was left ‘covered in blood’, with tears in her skin and severe bruising as she struggled to stop Brazil making off with her handbag containing just £60 and a gold-plated watch.
The serial robber had walked through her open front door on a hot day in July last year in Woking, Surrey, asking her for a glass of water, before trying to snatch her bag.
The pensioner died in hospital three days later after suffering a heart attack brought on by the physical and emotional trauma of the attack.
As he was sentenced on Friday at Guildford Crown Court, Brazil told judge Jonathan Black to "f*** your mum's c***" and stormed from the dock.
The court heard Brazil had prowled the area of Loop Road, Woking, Surrey, targeting vulnerable pensioners’ homes.
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Brazil, who was arrested in Leeds after a manhunt, was caught after he was forensically linked to the crime by a cigarette butt found in the street.
He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and robbery of Ms Burgess in June after previously admitting a further charge of robbery, three counts of burglary, attempted burglary, possessing a lock knife and damaging property.
Ms Burgess’ son Ian, who described being "confronted with a scene of blood" at his mother’s home, said Brazil’s action had left him "empty and destroyed".
He told the court: "Events instigated by you Johnny Brazil have served to tear my family apart.
"Instead of passing away peacefully in her sleep because of her age, her final days were spent in severe pain, from the bruising to her chest, face and arms and even more pain from the skin being ripped from her arms during a violent struggle over a few pounds in cash.
"My mother was a proud woman. She was kind and helpful and placed her trust in people who asked for her help. Her trust was destroyed in the vilest fashion.
"You probably were not expecting a woman of her age to fight for her belongings. I lie awake at night imagining how scared she was fighting to keep her few possessions.
"I have lost the person whom I confided in constantly, who I went to for advice. I feel empty and destroyed.”
Brazil, of Kingston Road, Epsom, Surrey, was originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm over the attack on Ms Burgess, but police pushed for the more serious charge.
