KILLED FOR A £25 FIX
And he’d done it before... the first time for just £8
FLORENCE Habesch’s family were well known in the north Wales seaside town of Rhyl – they used to own a jeweller’s on the resort’s main street.
Florence, 89, was an active member of Rhyl’s Christ Church, regularly attending services and running a weekly bric-a-brac stall, raising hundreds of pounds for the charity Save The Children.
She died, alone, on the floor of her home in Grange Road, hours after being battered around the head by a junkie odd-job man for a paltry £25.
It was a tragic end to a dutiful life.
Joyce Challis, secretary of Christ Church, said a memorial service had been held and had given comfort to people who were so shocked at the way her life had ended.
“Everyone who knew her remarked what a gentle and private person she was,” said Joyce.
“Many of her friends have felt a personal loss and a deep sadness.” Her family described her as a “private, respected lady who had many people that cared for her and who will miss her dearly”.
A family member added: “We would like to thank everyone for the kindness and support offered to them during this difficult time.”
Florence epitomised the decent half of Rhyl.
But there’s another side to the resort which, like many other seaside towns, is a home to drifters, losers and drug addicts.
Customers
And it was one of those who killed Florence Habesch.
George Johnson, 47, was from the West Midlands but he had washed up in Rhyl.
His girlfriend was a representative for the cosmetics company Avon. Florence was one of her customers.
That’s how she came to know George Johnson, who kindly did some odd jobs for her.
On February 6, 2011, after taking heroin and crack cocaine, Johnson went to Florence’s house. He needed money for more drugs.
She had no idea he had robbery in mind and went to make him a cup of tea.
As Florence prepared the brew, evil Johnson battered her over the head with a heavy projector case, causing a massive head injury.
He stole £25 and jewellery, then hit her again because she was staring at him and “still moving”.
Johnson got a nephew to buy drugs with the money he stole and later told his brother what he had done.
The murderer was taken to the West Midlands, where it was discussed whether anyone should check on the victim.
Johnson said that there would be no point
in checking – she would be dead.
In fact, a pathologist estimated Florence didn’t die until late that night or early the following morning.
Her body was found two days later.
Johnson was arrested in a joint operation between North Wales Police and the West Midlands force after his sickened brother called police.
Officers soon realised that George Johnson had killed before.
Back In October 1986 he and another man from Wolverhampton admitted to torturing a hotel worker to death with the use of knives and scissors.
The killers made off with just £8 from victim Gerald Homer, who had been forced to strip naked and was stabbed 35 times during an hour-long attack.
Johnson was given a life sentence at Stafford Crown Court with a recommendation that he serve at least 17 years.
Mr Justice Tucker told Johnson and his 17-year-old co-defendant
– who could not be named for legal reasons – “It was a brutal attack during which you showed no mercy.”
As Gerald Homer lay dying, Johnson stabbed him in the throat with the scissors.
The men had met their victim at the Lord Raglan pub in the city on April 18 that year.
They had been invited back to 38-year-old Gerald’s top-floor flat before killing him.
Alcohol
Johnson was released on March 20, 2006, on the condition he took regular drug and alcohol tests.
He was recalled to prison in January 2007 after a positive test but was again released in December that year.
By October 2010 he was taking heroin daily and owed money to local drug dealers.
Johnson was brought back to North Wales from the Midlands and faced Caernarfon Crown Court in April 2011.
He had only vague memories of events leading to Florence’s death but he knew he’d killed her, the court heard.
He pleaded guilty to murder.
Florence had died from “blunt force” head injuries, the court was told.
Johnson’s defence barrister said he had been under the influence of heroin and crack cocaine at the time of the killing.
He was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing.
That sentence was handed down at a hearing at Mold Crown Court in May 2011.
Prosecutor Elen Owen said: “George Johnson carried out a particularly violent and unprovoked attack on Florence Habesch.
“This was a cowardly and vicious crime perpetrated against an elderly and vulnerable lady who had befriended and put her trust in her attacker.”
Mr Justice GriffithWilliams said Johnson was “a very dangerous man” when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“You knew that she would not give or lend you money,” he told Johnson.
“You did not scruple to take the life of a frail, defenceless old lady who had shown you nothing but kindness.
“You battered her to death in her own home.”
The judge then handed Johnson his much-deserved second life sentence.
And this time, life would mean life. George Johnson will never be able to breathe free air again.
The judge added: “No doubt an inquiry as to why you were not recalled to prison will be undertaken.
Violent
“But it was ultimately your responsibility to avoid reoffending, in particularly to avoid violent reoffending.”
After sentencing, Det Insp Jo Williams, of North Wales Police, said: “Florence May Habesch was a gentle and dignified member of the community who played an active role in her church.
“She was a very private person who took George Johnson into her trust.
“Johnson abused that trust in the worst way possible.
“He took advantage of her good nature and kindness and repaid her with violence, which resulted in him taking her life.
“This was a despicable, unprovoked act which is difficult to comprehend. It really is beyond explanation.
“Thankfully, violent incidents of this nature are very rare in north Wales.”
Wales Probation Trust said that a review was being carried to “see if any lessons could be learned”.
“Our sympathies are with the victim’s family following this horrific crime,” they said.
“The offender alone is responsible for these actions.”
George Johnson was responsible for killing Florence Habesch – but it was the criminal justice system that had set him free to kill – again.