‘Incredible’ pensioner, 88, died after break-in

The family of a Perth pensioner who died after having his home broken in to have spoken out about how the trauma he suffered.

Relatives say the stress Arthur Hughes suffered in the aftermath of the raid may have contributed to his death.

The former soldier, who was 88, moved into sheltered housing in January after his flat in the city’s High Street was broken in to in August.

A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, said the greatgrandfather’s physical and mental condition worsened rapidly after the incident. The relative said: “Arthur was incredible for 88 years old.

“He was totally independent and had his own routine every day.

“He would get up in the morning, go to the shops, do the housework and go and meet his friends at the ex-servicemen’s club.

“He loved being out in his garden too.” Mr Hughes’ life changed for the worse when Patryk Moszczynski broke in to his home on August 9 last year, stealing a wallet and souvenir coins.

Moszczynski, 21, of Rannoch Road, Perth, admitted the crime at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

His not guilty plea to another charge that he broke into Mr Hughes’ house less than a week after the first incident was accepted.

The family member added: “He (Mr Hughes) stopped sleeping and his physical ailments escalated.

“Over the seven months afterwards he stopped going out and his physical and mental condition deteriorated so much that you could see it.”

Moszczynski will be sentenced on May 9.