Man identified by DNA 20 years after robbery which resulted in pensioner’s death jailed

A man found guilty of manslaughter 20 years after the crime was committed because of advances in DNA technology has been sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Junior Young, 39, of no fixed address, robbed Hilda Lockert, 86, outside her house in Brixton 2001.

During the robbery Hilda fell which led her to die of a blood clot a few weeks later.

At the time there was not enough evidence to prove Young was at the scene of the crime but recent advances in DNA technology determined that he was there.

He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for manslaughter and five years for robbery, to be served concurrently on Monday, December 20.

In an impact statement read at court, Hilda’s nephew Brian Bullock, said: “We were devastated when my aunt was killed.

“I can’t tell you what it was like walking into that hospital ward and seeing what they had done to her. 

“My aunt was a proud lady and refused to show me the bruises. 

“I remember her asking me why her, why did they do this to her. I didn’t know what to say to her. What do you say, how do you explain that she was probably attacked as she was too old to defend herself. 

“We miss her terribly, even after all this time. She had many years left to live.”

Hilda was approaching the front door of her home at Langport House, Overton Road April on April 30, 2001 when she was grabbed from behind by her coat and bag.

She fell heavily to the ground before two men searched her coat pockets, taking her bag of shopping, her bus pass and her wallet, which contained just £15.

The fall left her with multiple injuries including a fractured knee. She was admitted to hospital where she had an operation, but developed a blood clot and died on May 15 – her 86th birthday.

Medical reports concluded that there was a “clear medical and real causal relationship” between the fracture to Hilda’s knee and her death.

Following initial enquiries, Young was arrested on June 5, 2001. He denied any involvement in the attack.

Forensic analysis of Hilda’s shopping bag and coat at the time found limited evidence that Young was present in a DNA sample, but the match was not strong enough to proceed with any charges.

There was also no CCTV of the offence and no witnesses to what had taken place.

As part of a review in 2015, the DNA samples from the shopping bag were re-examined, using an extremely sensitive method and specialised software.

The scientist carrying out the examination concluded that the DNA sample was one billion times more likely to have come from Young, Hilda and another unrelated person than Hilda and two other unrelated people.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, from Specialist Crime, said:“We are very pleased that Young will finally face the consequences of his actions and that Norma’s family have now seen justice served.

“Hilda’s life was cruelly taken away for the sake of a few pounds and the impact of her sudden death has had a significant impact on those who knew and loved her. She has never been forgotten.

“We hope this case demonstrates that we will never give up trying to identify those responsible for heinous crimes of this nature.

“We will continue to do all we can so that more families like Norma’s get justice for their loved ones, no matter how much time has passed.”