Teenagers Sentenced Over Pensioner Manslaughter

Two teenage boys have been sentenced to a total of 12 years for two robberies and the manslaughter of an 85-year-old woman in London.

Jiervon Bartlett, 15, was sentenced to six years and Nayed Hoque, 15, - who was 14 at the time - was sentenced to six years at the Old Bailey yesterday.

Both boys from Northolt committed two separate robberies on two consecutive days in Greenford on 19 and 20 November 2012.

Paula Castle, who had a heart condition and was partially sighted, was walking home from the shops on 19 November 2012 when she was pushed to the ground and robbed by the two boys in Oldfield Lane South, Greenford.

Mrs Castle was found by a member of the public with facial injuries and her shopping trolley upturned. She died in hospital the next day.

Then on 20 November 2012, a 75-year-old woman from Northolt was robbed of her shopping bag by the pair as she made her way along a footpath between Napton Close and Hastoe Close, Hayes.

Bartlett's DNA was found on Mrs Castle's stolen handbag. The pair had stolen her bank card and used it to buy trainers and takeaway food.

The bank card stolen in the second robbery was used to make mobile phone top-ups on Hoque's phone.

Bartlett pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paula Castle and to both counts of robbery on Friday 8 March.

Hoque initially denied all offences, but then later admitted being at both scenes.

He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paula Castle and two counts of robbery on Wednesday 10 April.

Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "These teenage boys attacked two elderly, vulnerable women for financial gain before spending the proceeds from their crime on trainers and takeaway food.

"Paula Castles's subsequent death has had a devastating impact on her family and loved ones and I would like to pay tribute to the family for their courage during this deeply distressing time."

Paula Castle's daughter-in-law, Jane Castle, said: "It is always sad to lose a loved one but to lose one in such a horrific way such as our family did makes it so much more difficult to bear.

"Paula had coped in the last few years with the sudden death of her husband and her only child, Brian at the age of 51 years. She had also suffered a stroke.

"Christmas 2012 was especially difficult as Paula was due to enjoy a family Christmas with her grandsons whom she doted upon, and they upon her. With Paula being taken so suddenly no one had a chance to prepare themselves for her death, and as a result Christmas was a very solemn and sad occasion for all. We all miss Paula very much."

(IT/CD)