Sophie survived the nazis - but not a mugging
A WOMAN of 100 has died from a broken neck after being mugged on her way home from church.
Zofija Kaczan, who survived forced labour under the Nazis, was shoved to the ground by her attacker even though he had already taken her handbag.
She was left covered in blood and with a fractured cheekbone.
The ‘resilient’ pensioner managed to stumble to her church, still clutching one of the green bag’s gold straps.
Neighbours said they feared that Mrs Kaczan could have had as much as £1,000 in the bag because she had a big electricity bill to pay and did not like leaving money in the house.
The former factory worker, known as Sophie by friends, had moved from Poland to the UK with her husband Micoli after the Second World War.
She was attacked moments after leaving her semi-detached home in Derby to attend a service at nearby St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church.
Mrs Kaczan’s bag was later found dumped, with the utility bill for about £900 still in it.
A 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of robbery and later released under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Darren De’ath, of West Midlands Police, said: ‘This crime is absolutely horrific.
‘Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and
‘Absolutely horrific’
that she was targeted in this way is disgusting.
‘There are people who know the person responsible for this crime 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.’
Neighbour Stacia Fitzsimmons, 55, said: ‘Whoever has done this is absolutely vile.
‘Zofija walked that route to church every day so it is possible she has been watched. I’m really, really upset by this.’
Another neighbour, Malik Mohammed described her as friendly, chatty and ‘beautiful’. Mr Mohammed said: ‘She was the best woman I ever met.
‘I’m so sad and sorry to hear that she has died.
‘She will always be remembered as an amazing woman.’
It comes as figures show violent crime is up by 50 per cent in a year in some parts of the UK.
All 43 police forces in England, except the City of London, have noted rises, according to analysis of reports from the Office of National Statistics.