real6
14-09-2009, 08:30 PM
Widow, 85, murdered after burglar broke every bone in her face before stealing just £350
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213387/Murderer-broke-bone-widow-pensioners-face-robbed-350.html
An 85-year-old widow was brutally murdered by a drunken thug who broke every bone in her face and robbed her of £350, a court heard yesterday.
Jobless Robert Tozer, 20, had recently been released from prison when he burgled retired teacher Joan Charlton, whom he had known as a neighbour since childhood.
He repeatedly assaulted her with a bottle in the living room before searching upstairs for cash.
Joan Charlton, a former teacher, was murdered in her own home
Joan Charlton, a former teacher, was murdered in her own home
Tozer came back downstairs to discover the injured pensioner trying to reach the phone in the hall to call for help and launched a merciless attack.
He stamped on her head, cut the phone line, deactivated the fire alarm and tried to set fire to her body despite knowing she was still alive.
A horrified friend discovered Mrs Charlton's body days later.
Yesterday Tozer pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Charlton at her home in West Parade, Hull in June.
He was given a life sentence at Hull Crown Court and told he would serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.
Killer: Robert Tozer murdered his neighbour Joan Charlton in her hall for money after a drinks binge
Killer: Robert Tozer murdered his neighbour Joan Charlton in her hall for money after a drinks binge
Judge Michael Mettyear told Tozer he targetted the elderly woman's house because it offered 'rich pickings' and he subjected her to a 'systematic and merciless stream of violence.'
'Her injuries, particularly her facial injuries were horrific,' he said. 'It is chilling to think of the pain and anguish she must have suffered while she was still alone.'
Tozer had been out of jail for less than three weeks when he murdered Mrs Charlton.
He had been serving a 15-month prison sentence for attacking a girlfriend's partner with a pool cue and also had a previous conviction for assaulting a police constable.
The court heard he had been staying with the family of his girlfriend when he raided Mrs Charlton's home after binge drinking on whiskey.
He used his victim's cash to buy new clothes and trainers and tried to escape justice. But he left palm prints and a shoe print at the blood-splattered scene.
It became common knowledge in the neighbourhood that he was to blame and was arrested.
Graham Reed, prosecuting, said Mrs Charlton's body was found by a friend several days after she had been attacked.
'Joan Charlton had been beaten, she was covered in blood and there had been attempts to set her alight,' said Mr Reed.
'The living room had been ransacked. It was likely she had been sat down in the living room when she was attacked. There were at least three blows.'
He said she did not die straight away, but had been found in the hall with a telephone near her hand, possibly trying to call for help.
More...
* Man arrested following murder of widow, 85, who was strangled before her home was torched
There was a further attack in the hall and a bamboo wall hanging was ripped down and put on her body before being set alight, the court heard.
Tozer later admitted he thought she was still alive when he started the fire, which caused little damage.
The court heard Mrs Charlton may have been targeted because she was known to be frugal and save her pension cash.
A victim impact statement from her sister was read to the court. She said:'My family has been shocked to imagine someone could inflict such pain. I wake constantly with nightmares about how she died.
'One blow would have been bad enough but to go so far as this was evil. I had to identify my sister.
'That image will stay with me for life. I would like to make him (Tozer) understand exactly how he caused her to suffer.
'I hope that he never again gets the chance to do the same to someone else.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213387/Murderer-broke-bone-widow-pensioners-face-robbed-350.html#ixzz0R6wjCaPS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213387/Murderer-broke-bone-widow-pensioners-face-robbed-350.html
An 85-year-old widow was brutally murdered by a drunken thug who broke every bone in her face and robbed her of £350, a court heard yesterday.
Jobless Robert Tozer, 20, had recently been released from prison when he burgled retired teacher Joan Charlton, whom he had known as a neighbour since childhood.
He repeatedly assaulted her with a bottle in the living room before searching upstairs for cash.
Joan Charlton, a former teacher, was murdered in her own home
Joan Charlton, a former teacher, was murdered in her own home
Tozer came back downstairs to discover the injured pensioner trying to reach the phone in the hall to call for help and launched a merciless attack.
He stamped on her head, cut the phone line, deactivated the fire alarm and tried to set fire to her body despite knowing she was still alive.
A horrified friend discovered Mrs Charlton's body days later.
Yesterday Tozer pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Charlton at her home in West Parade, Hull in June.
He was given a life sentence at Hull Crown Court and told he would serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.
Killer: Robert Tozer murdered his neighbour Joan Charlton in her hall for money after a drinks binge
Killer: Robert Tozer murdered his neighbour Joan Charlton in her hall for money after a drinks binge
Judge Michael Mettyear told Tozer he targetted the elderly woman's house because it offered 'rich pickings' and he subjected her to a 'systematic and merciless stream of violence.'
'Her injuries, particularly her facial injuries were horrific,' he said. 'It is chilling to think of the pain and anguish she must have suffered while she was still alone.'
Tozer had been out of jail for less than three weeks when he murdered Mrs Charlton.
He had been serving a 15-month prison sentence for attacking a girlfriend's partner with a pool cue and also had a previous conviction for assaulting a police constable.
The court heard he had been staying with the family of his girlfriend when he raided Mrs Charlton's home after binge drinking on whiskey.
He used his victim's cash to buy new clothes and trainers and tried to escape justice. But he left palm prints and a shoe print at the blood-splattered scene.
It became common knowledge in the neighbourhood that he was to blame and was arrested.
Graham Reed, prosecuting, said Mrs Charlton's body was found by a friend several days after she had been attacked.
'Joan Charlton had been beaten, she was covered in blood and there had been attempts to set her alight,' said Mr Reed.
'The living room had been ransacked. It was likely she had been sat down in the living room when she was attacked. There were at least three blows.'
He said she did not die straight away, but had been found in the hall with a telephone near her hand, possibly trying to call for help.
More...
* Man arrested following murder of widow, 85, who was strangled before her home was torched
There was a further attack in the hall and a bamboo wall hanging was ripped down and put on her body before being set alight, the court heard.
Tozer later admitted he thought she was still alive when he started the fire, which caused little damage.
The court heard Mrs Charlton may have been targeted because she was known to be frugal and save her pension cash.
A victim impact statement from her sister was read to the court. She said:'My family has been shocked to imagine someone could inflict such pain. I wake constantly with nightmares about how she died.
'One blow would have been bad enough but to go so far as this was evil. I had to identify my sister.
'That image will stay with me for life. I would like to make him (Tozer) understand exactly how he caused her to suffer.
'I hope that he never again gets the chance to do the same to someone else.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213387/Murderer-broke-bone-widow-pensioners-face-robbed-350.html#ixzz0R6wjCaPS