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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

Moment killer arrested after brutally assaulting elderly couple and going on run for 5 days

This is the moment a man is arrested by police after brutally assaulting an elderly couple in their home and going on the run for five days.

Vasile Culea, 34, was convicted of killing Freda Walker, 89, and of wounding with intent her 88-year-old husband Kenneth Walker on January 14.

Culea had admitted the manslaughter of Mrs Walker and the grievous bodily harm of her husband but a jury at Derby Crown Court unanimously convicted the Romanian in two hours and 15 minutes.

The jury was told how he "hog-tied" Mr and Mrs Walker while searching for £30,000 in cash at their Langwith Junction home in Derbyshire.

This is the moment Culea is arrested by police (Derbyshire Constabulary)

Culea fled with £300 from a handbag after getting "scared" by the sounds of a car outside.

He was arrested at his home five days after the break-in following a police manhunt. and then repeatedly lied about how the couple suffered the injuries.

Bodycam footage from the arrest shows officers shouting 'police, police' and telling people to 'stay where you are'.

Freda and Kenneth Walker (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)

The prosecution tore through the defendant's claims saying he fabricated a "nonsense" cover-up. They described the attack as going "far beyond any justification; savage in its nature - and sustained".

Culea had claimed he only injured Mrs Walker after "slipping" on a spilt drink and stepping on her chest after she "fell over" during his attack.

Jurors heard the victims suffered "frankly horrific" injuries.

Mrs Walker may have survived had she not been "abandoned without any assistance" and "with coverings to her face obstructing her airway", according to Michael Auty KC, prosecuting.

Mrs Walker suffered a fatal brain injury and was found dead in the kitchen (BPM MEDIA)

Mrs Walker suffered a fatal brain injury and was found dead in the kitchen by emergency services the day after the attack.

The charity worker had been gagged and had at least two coverings over her head that were knotted - a pillow case and a bin liner, the court heard.

Mr Walker, a retired electrician who had worked in the mining industry, was found bound at the knees under the dining room table also gagged and covered in blood.

He survived the attack despite being repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on - but passed away seven months later from natural causes.

Vasile Culea in a Betfred store in Shirebrook on the morning of January 14 (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)

The jury of 11 men and one woman did clear the defendant of Mr Walker's attempted murder.

Temporary Detective Inspector Carolyne Van Schaick, of Derbyshire Police, said: "Freda and Kenneth Walker had been members of the Shirebrook community throughout their lives, contributing to life in the area both through their work, their involvement in the local council and through their caring and social natures in general.

CCTV of a figure in a high-vis jacket, that the prosecution is saying is Vasile Culea, walking away from the scene (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)

"All their friends and family have told of how they have both led hardworking lives and always put others first.

"There is no doubt that having worked so hard over the years that Freda and Kenneth deserved a long, happy retirement and peace in their later years.

"This was taken away from them back in January when Vasile Culea, believing the couple had money in the address, went in with the intention to steal from them.

"When he encountered Freda and Kenneth, he assaulted them, killing Freda and leaving Kenneth for dead. The methods he used were truly shocking.

"Whilst Kenneth may have survived the attack, he had lost his wife and lived out his remaining days requiring constant care before he sadly passed away shortly before this case was due to be heard.

"I would like to thank the family of both Ken and Freda who have shown courage throughout this terrible time, as well as the community of Shirebrook who have supported each other, and this investigation, throughout.

"Whist this verdict can never reverse Culea's actions on that night I do hope it provides some consolation to those affected by this horrific crime that justice has been done."

Mr Justice Henshaw said he would carry out the sentencing of Culea on Friday.

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