A man has finally faced justice after a DNA breakthrough saw him jailed for killing a pensioner in a robbery two decades ago.
Hilda Lockert, 86, was attacked outside her home in Brixton, south London, in April 2001.
Junior Young, who was 18 years old when he and an accomplice fatally attacked the elderly woman, was questioned by police weeks later but was never charged.
After the robbery, she fell to the floor before the thieves raided her coat pockets, before grabbing her shopping bags and handbag.
She was rushed to hospital but later developed a blood clot and tragically died two weeks later.
Following initial enquiries, police arrested him weeks after the attack but was released as he he denied any involvement.
Forensic analysis of the woman's bag and coat found evidence Young was present at the scene - but it was decided the match was not strong enough to charge him.
However, a review was undertaken and DNA samples were re-examined using specialised software years later.
The scientist who carrying out the examination found the sample was around a billion times more likely to have come from Young than anyone else.
The man, now 39, was found guilty of manslaughter over her death.
Young, also found guilty of robbery in court, will be sentenced on December 20 at the Old Bailey.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, from Specialist Crime, said: “Up until this attack, Hilda had been a very independent woman who continued to do all of her own shopping and housework.
“Due to her age and the fact she was alone, Young saw her as an easy target and had no regard for the injuries he might cause when he violently robbed her.
“Hilda’s sudden death left her family and those who knew her distraught but she has never been forgotten, thanks in part to them naming a street in Brixton after her.
“Similarly we in the Met have never stopped fighting for justice for Hilda, despite the passage of time.
“We are pleased that thanks to advances in science Young now faces a significant custodial sentence and we hope this acts as a reminder to others who think they have evaded justice that we will not give up in our quest to find them.”
