A woman has been found guilty of killing a pensioner who suffered a heart attack when she robbed him of stealing tobacco.
71-year-old William “Billy” Jackson received a cardiac arrest when Sarah Daniel broke into his home in Washington. Daniel was convicted of manslaughter, while David Bulmer was acquitted.
Daniel and her partner, Lean English, planned to attack Mr. Jackson’s home and also attacked another vulnerable man.
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A Newcastle Crown court has heard that Mr. Jackson lives in the Concord area of Washington and has had advanced heart disease, diabetes and mobility problems – meaning he uses a scooter to get around and spends most of his time from his time at home, sitting on a fishing chair in his kitchen, as this was the most comfortable position he could achieve, so much so that he also slept there.
The court found that he is quite famous in the area, as he sells tobacco and cigarettes. On September 24 last year, Daniel and English came up with a plan to find a way to steal his tobacco. It was not said that the British were involved in the attack.
Billy Jackson
Jurors were told that Mr Jackson’s neighbor heard voices, then the door opened and he saw figures appearing. He started chasing, but managed to continue and returned home.
Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC said: “He returned to Mr Jackson’s apartment and unfortunately found him lying on the kitchen floor unconscious. He had suffered a cardiac arrest. Paramedics kept him alive until he reached the hospital, but unfortunately he died in the early hours of the next morning after a series of further cardiac arrests. “
The prosecutor added: “We say he died because he was subjected to this stress test. The pathologist who performed the autopsy said he would not have died at that moment had it not been for the stressful event we say happened.
“The prosecutor’s office claims that he died due to the stress caused by the victim of the theft. The prosecutor’s office says that any sober, reasonable person would realize that if you cover someone’s home while he is present, it is an action that puts that person at risk of some harm. That extends to shock. “
David Bulmer convicted of aggravated burglary (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
A second victim, Barry Clark, lived alone in the Sulgrave area of Washington and befriended neighbors Daniel and English. Mr Hill said: “We say they took advantage of it.
“Initially, he was the victim of an attack and fraud, after which he was beaten in his own home and items were taken during a serious burglary by Daniel and Bullmer.”
The court heard that Mr. Clark sometimes allowed Daniel and English to borrow money, but refused when they did not return it. They would go for a drink and make him allow them to use his bank account to pay money.
Leanne English, convicted of conspiracy to steal and assault (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
In June last year, English grabbed Mr. Clark and held him in the subway while Daniel pulled his wallet out of his jeans pocket, which contained his bank card and phone. She was then said to have fled and withdrawn £ 290 by fraud, leaving only £ 10 in the account.
On September 17 last year, Daniel and Bullmer went to Mr. Clark’s home around 12 o’clock, pushed him down the hall and into the living room, and Bullmer “screamed” that he owed money to his friend and hit him in the leg with a metal baseball bat. causing injuries as Daniel took his £ 30 wallet out of his pocket. It is said that she then took £ 200 in cash from a coffee table.
The couple allegedly went to a local store and bought items with the stolen card before returning it through his door.
Daniel, 33, of Waterloo Walk, Washington, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to steal Mr. Jackson and aggravated burglary and two counts of fraud against Mr. Clark.
Bullmer, 20, of Barmston Way, Washington, was found guilty of aggravated burglary in connection with Mr. Clark, but not of manslaughter and conspiracy to steal Mr. Jackson. He admitted that he was present at the burglary of Mr. Jackson, but denied that he had committed any wrongdoing.
Lean English, 39, of Waterloo Walk, was found guilty of plotting to steal Mr. Jackson and assault Mr Clark.
All three have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 8.
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