Cold-hearted killers and thieves who set sights on region’s most vulnerable residents
LOWLIFES WHO TARGETED ‘EASY PICKINGS’ NOW LANGUISH IN JAIL
THEIR already horrific crimes were made all the more heinous by the victims they targeted.
These are some of the North East’s most callous crooks, who have preyed on our most vulnerable residents.
Today, as we look back on some of the shocking crimes against the elderly, committed by the lowest of criminals, the boss of a charity that supports the elderly on Tyneside urges everyone to help their loved ones stay safe.
And Alma Caldwell, chief executive of Age UK North Tyneside, has this important message for elderly people living in their own homes. She said: “Don’t be taken in by hard luck stories. If someone comes to your door and asks you to help them out with cash, asks to use your telephone or claims they’re feeling unwell, the story is likely to be made up and intended to con you out of your money or gain access to your home.
“Many older people are anxious about crime. Although it’s important to be cautious, taking a few simple precautions to make themselves and their homes more secure can help avoid being targeted and give peace of mind.”
Sadly, frail and elderly residents have become the victims of some truly harrowing crimes in our neighbourhoods.
War veteran Harry Lindley was subjected to a brutal attack, during which he was beaten with his own walking stick, by drug-crazed Michael Stevenson. The crack cocaine addict targeted 89-year-old Harry home in 2008.
The pensioner was beaten with the stick, stamped on and had his head slammed into a wall before Stevenson left him for dead to call his drug dealer and a taxi. Harry died four weeks later from his injuries, which were on 15 different parts of his body.
Stevenson, from Walker, Newcastle, was originally jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years after a jury convicted him of Harry’s murder.
However, judges at London’s Court of Appeal upheld a challenge brought by England and Wales’ chief law officer, the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC, that the minimum term was “unduly lenient”. Stevenson must now spend at least 25 years behind bars.
When sentencing Stevenson at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Justice Walker in his Newcastle said Harry had been a man the Walker community could be proud of, a war veteran and a prominent businessman.
In contrast, Stevenson’s attack had been merciless and cowardly, an act of savagery.
Addressing the killer directly, the judge said: “Harold served his country in the Second World War. He left the Army as a captain. He’d been born in Walker. It was there he retired after a prominent business career here in Newcastle.
“What happened to Harry Lindley that night involved a merciless and cowardly attack on an elderly, frail, vulnerable man. It was murder in the course of burglary.”
Vile Lee Cockburn is another cruel lowlife who attacked an elderly victim in her home while looking for cash.
Widow Jean Young was left battered and bruised after the thug forced his way into her house and threatened her for cash.
Jean was knocked to the ground and lay there screaming as the convicted murderer said he would tie her up.
Thankfully, neighbours heard the pensioner’s cries for help and tackled the raider, causing him to flee upstairs and make his escape out a window.
He stole 83-year-old Jean’s purse, which contained just £5.
In 2017, Cockburn, of Violet Close, Benwell, was jailed for more than seven years after admitting robbery.
Kind-hearted Beth Stewart let John Griffiths into her Newcastle home after