Vasile Culea (right) broke into the home of Freda Walker and her 88-year-old husband Kenneth Walker (Picture: PA/SWNS)
A man has been jailed following the ‘savage’ murder of 86-year-old Freda Walker in her own home.
The pensioner was beaten, gagged and tied up during the attack by Vasile Culea.
Her husband, 88-year-old Kenneth Walker, was badly injured in the horrific incident.
Culea was today sentenced to life in jail, with a minimum term of 34 years.
Judge Mr Justice Henshaw, sentencing, said: ‘You attacked them both leaving them with brain injuries, lacerations and many other injuries.
‘Very sadly, Freda Walker died within an hour or so of this savage attack.
‘You murdered Freda Walker for gain because you killed her in the course of the furtherance of your burglary.’
The 34-year-old had ‘hog-tied’ Mr and Mrs Walker and bound their hands and feet as he searched their Derbyshire home.
Kenneth Walker and his wife Freda were hugely loved in their community (Picture: PA)
He broke in after hearing strangers in a shop discuss a rumoured £30,000 in their property, Derby Crown Court was told.
But the warehouse worker was unable to find the cash as Mr Walker had forgotten where it was.
Jurors were told how Culea then placed plastic bags and a pillowcase over Mrs Walker, who died of a brain injury.
The pensioner suffered ‘frankly horrific’ injuries and could have survived had she not been ‘abandoned without any assistance’, Michael Auty KC, prosecuting, said.
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The 86-year-old was found dead in the kitchen the following day after worried neighbours phoned emergency services.
Mr Walker died several months after the attack and his death was unrelated to the incident – jurors heard earlier this week.
Culea was arrested six days after the attack at a property in Grove Road, Church Warsop — just a short drive from the Walkers’ address in Station Road.
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The pensioner was beaten, gagged and tied up during the ‘savage’ attack by Vasile Culea.