The Daily Telegraph

100-year-old churchgoer dies after ‘horrific’ mugging

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A 100-YEAR-OLD widow who suffered a broken neck when she was mugged while walking to church has died.

Zofija Kaczan, who travelled to Britain from Poland after the Second World War, was thrown to the pavement as the attacker grabbed her green imitation leather bag from behind.

The pensioner was taken to hospital with what police initially said were non-life-threatenin­g injuries, but she died yesterday in the early hours.

A 39-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the robbery, which happened at around 8.45am on May 28 in Normanton, Derby, has since been released.

Mrs Kaczan was attacked moments after leaving her home to attend a service at the St Maksymilia­n Kolbe Polish Church, where she was a daily worshipper. Mrs Kaczan celebrated her 100th birthday last month. Her husband, Micoli, who worked for Rollsroyce in Derby, died around a decade ago.

Det Chief Insp Darren De’ath, of Derbyshire Police, 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.”

Police said a beige Seat Leon car was seen near to where the robbery took place and was found dumped less than a mile away two days later.

“We want to hear from anyone who may have informatio­n about the driver of the vehicle – or if you have CCTV or dash cam footage that shows the vehicle with registrati­on plate SL02 KVZ,” a force statement said.

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