VICTIMS OF WILD WEST BRITAIN Sophie, 100, survived the Nazis – but not mugger who snapped her neck
‘It is absolutely horrific’
SHE survived the Nazi invasion of Poland before coming to Britain to start a new life after the war.
in during blood she But Mrs The hospital made pensioner Kaczan, yesterday after a vicious her she after way born was was Sophie mugging. to Zofija, her attacked approached church. neck Kaczan, was in left was the from covered 100, street broken behind died as in and imitation suffered knocked several leather to the injuries, handbag ground including before was stolen. her a green fractured She The former cheekbone factory and worker, broken who neck. was forced to work for the Nazis during the Second World War, managed to stumble to church still clutching one of the bag’s gold straps.
Police initially said her injuries were not life-threatening and that she was recovering after the attack in Derby on May 28, but she died yesterday morning.
Her friend and neighbour Stacia Fitzsimmons, 55, said the mugger had in effect taken the pensioner’s life.
‘She would still be walking to church every morning if it wasn’t for the person who has done this – he has killed her,’ she added.
Mrs Fitzsimmons said Mrs Kaczan had been receiving treatment at a residential home for rehabilitation after the mugging, but was transferred back to hospital, where she died.
Mrs Ftzsimmons added: ‘It’s so upsetting – she was like a mother to me. It is just awful that she has had to live out her final days like this. I just hope that the police catch whoever did this to Zofija.’
Another neighbour said Mrs Kaczan often spoke of her life in Poland after the Nazi occupation. It is estimated 6.5million people died there during the war – around a fifth of the country’s population. Of those, 664,000 were battlefield deaths but the rest were civilians of all ages. Those who were spared were put to work in factories to support conditions received the German were little poor war or effort. and no workers pay. The Police yesterday appealed for witnesses and officers were seen carrying out door- to- door inquiries in the area. DCI Darren De’ath, from Derbyshire police, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘This crime is absolutely horrific. Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and that she was targeted in this way is disgusting. There are people in Derby responsible who for know this the crime person and I would urge them to come forward with any information that can help bring those responsible to justice. We have a number of leads that we are pursuing.’ Mrs Kaczan was attacked moments after leaving her semidetached home in the Normanton area of Derby to attend a service at the nearby St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church. Neighbours said she went there most days.
It was feared the mugger may have got away with as much as £1,000 as her bag – with a £900 utility bill inside – was later found dumped. Friends said she may have had the cash to pay the bill in her bag at the time.
It was the second time Mrs Kaczan had been mugged. Neighbours said the pensioner was robbed in almost identical circumstances around eight years ago.
Just weeks before the latest incident, Mrs Kaczan, a devout Catholic, was pictured celebrating her centenary with a party at her home for friends and neighbours. She proudly showed off a certificate from the Pope to mark the milestone.
Her husband Micoli, who died ten years ago, served with the Polish regiment during the war and saw action in the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy.
His military service won him the right to settle in the UK after the war. He found work at the Rolls- Royce factory in Derby and his wife joined him soon after. The couple had no children.
A 39-year- old man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released under investigation.