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Cowardly OAP killer jailed for life

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

South London Press

Cowardly OAP killer jailed for life

Nov 23 2004

A CONVICTED rapist who battered an 82-year-old woman to death has been jailed for life.

Serial robber Elroy Simmonds, 26, preyed on frail and elderly pensioners across South London for "easy cash".

Hilda Ashdown -- his sixth victim - died of a brain haemorrhage 10 days after he attacked her in her Camberwell flat.

The Old Bailey heard how Simmonds and an accomplice burst in as Mrs Ash-down cooked chips with the front door to the flat left open.

Simmonds repeatedly punched her in the face and kicked her as both demanded cash.

Mrs Ashdown was later found by her son slumped and bleeding heavily in the flat in Monclar Road, Denmark Hill.

Simmonds, of White Hart Street, Kennington, was later linked to the murder when cops found her blood on his trainers. He denied murder, 10 robberies and two counts of assault with intent to rob. A jury found him guilty of all charges except one of robbery, where they failed to reach a verdict.

Speaking after the sentencing on Friday, Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson said: "Elroy Simmonds targeted the most vulnerable people in the community - elderly people, mostly women living alone - which tells you what kind of a man he is.

"He was after easy cash. I've no doubt whatsoever that the streets of South London are a safer place with him behind bars."

The court heard how Simmonds began his criminal career aged 14 robbing schoolchildren in South London.

In 1996, he was jailed for six years for raping and attempting to rob a 49-year-old woman.

His latest robbing spree began in June 2002 when he attacked and fought with pensioner Eric Kjaer.

He resumed his attacks eight months later, targeting Mrs Ashdown in March 2003. He was arrested around a month later.

Judge Stephen Kramer jailed him for life for the murder and a total of 12 years for the robbery and assault charges, to run concurrently.

He said: "You did not use weapons - you did not need to. You terrified each of them.

"It might be said, in view of your targets, it was only a matter of time before you killed one of your victims.

"You are a danger, particularly to the old and the vulnerable, and a devious and scheming young man.

"You have shown no remorse and no regret at any stage. The sentence for murder is mandatory, it is life imprisonment."

(posted 7064 days ago)

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