'Savage' burglar guilty of 'hog-tying' pensioners and leaving woman, 86, to die
Vasile Culea was convicted of murdering Freda Walker and wounding her 88-year-old husband, former district councillor and alderman Kenneth Walker.
Tuesday 25 October 2022 14:54, UK
A burglar has been convicted of the "savage" murder of an 86-year-old woman in her own home.
Vasile Culea was found guilty of brutally beating, gagging and tying up Freda Walker before abandoning her to die at her home on 14 January.
He was also convicted of wounding with intent the victim's 88-year-old husband, former district councillor and alderman Kenneth Walker.
Culea "hog-tied" Mr and Mrs Walker, binding their hands and feet, while searching their home in Langwith Junction, Derbyshire, for £30,000 in cash which he had found out about after claiming to have overheard two strangers chatting about it in a shop.
Mrs Walker was found dead in the kitchen by emergency services the following day after neighbours raised concerns.
A bag had been put over her head and she died of a brain injury.
Derby Crown Court heard Mr Walker died some months later, though his death was not connected to the attack.
Culea had already admitted to the manslaughter of Mrs Walker and the grievous bodily harm of her husband.
Prosecutors said he was guilty of fabricating "a nonsense" to cover up for an attack on the couple that went "far beyond any justification; savage in its nature - and sustained".
The jury of 11 men and one woman unanimously convicted the 34-year-old Romanian national after just two hours and 15 minutes.
He had claimed he injured Mrs Walker after "slipping" on a spilt drink and stepping on her chest after she "fell over" during his attack.
Culea, of Grove Road, Church Warsop, will be sentenced on Friday.