An elderly man, aged 81 and suffering from terminal cancer, attempted to steal money from a 95-year-old woman to finance his own funeral. Edwin Morrison, a retired delivery person for a pharmacy, assaulted the woman by choking her and demanding money while restraining her with cable ties in her residence in the Little Hulton area of Salford, Greater Manchester, on January 27. The victim, struggling to breathe, begged him to stop, but he silenced her, according to the testimony presented at Manchester Crown Court. The robbery was thwarted when the woman’s mobile hairdresser unexpectedly arrived at the scene.
Morrison, who had encountered the victim while working as a medication courier, was apprehended at his Worsley residence the following day after his vehicle was traced by the police. Reports from the Manchester Evening News revealed that Morrison had contemplated suicide before the incident, fearing he would burden his family with funeral expenses. While in custody, Morrison went on a hunger strike, which has now ceased, and he is refusing treatment for a heart condition.
Prosecutor Rob Smith disclosed that Morrison had created a GoFundMe page in January to raise funds for his funeral due to his cancer diagnosis. Shortly after, he was observed outside a property in Little Hulton, claiming to be catching his breath but suspected of scouting another house. Morrison later parked near the victim’s residence, arriving at her door under the pretense of discussing garbage collection. Despite recent refuse collections in the area, he gained entry and then attacked the woman, leading to the terrifying ordeal she described in her statement.
The victim expressed the profound impact of the incident on her sense of security and well-being, stating that the trauma had left her feeling like a prisoner in her own home. She recounted the harrowing experience of being assaulted and threatened, leaving lasting emotional scars. Morrison, residing on Manchester Road, Worsley, admitted to the attempted robbery charge.
In his defense, Nick Clarke portrayed Morrison as a caring individual who had faced personal challenges, including conflicts with his partner and health issues. Clarke emphasized Morrison’s descent into despair following the loss of his partner, job, and declining health, leading to a depressive state. Despite planning to end his own life, Morrison’s concerns about burdening his family with funeral costs prompted his ill-conceived robbery attempt.
The sentencing for Morrison was postponed by Judge Peter Horgan until April 15 to allow for further assessments and medical evidence to be considered.
