An 81-year-old man attempted to rob a 95-year-old woman in her residence, stating that he needed the money to cover his funeral expenses. Edwin Morrison, a retired pharmacy courier, assaulted the woman by strangling her and demanding money while restraining her with cable ties at her home in Little Hulton, Salford, Greater Manchester, on January 27.
During the incident, the victim struggled to breathe and pleaded with Morrison to release her, but he instructed her to be quiet, as disclosed in Manchester Crown Court. Fortunately, the robbery was thwarted when the woman’s mobile hairdresser arrived unexpectedly.
Reports from the Manchester Evening News revealed that Morrison singled out the victim during his previous job delivering medications. Following the incident, he was apprehended at his residence in Worsley the next day. Before the attack, Morrison had expressed suicidal thoughts but was apprehensive about burdening his family with funeral expenses. While in custody, he went on a hunger strike, which he has now ended, and is refusing medication for his heart condition.
Morrison is awaiting sentencing next month, with a prison term anticipated following a warning from the judge. He remains in custody. Prosecutor Rob Smith disclosed that in January, Morrison, who previously worked as a pharmacy delivery driver, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his funeral due to his purported cancer diagnosis.
On January 27, Morrison was observed loitering outside a property in Little Hulton, claiming to a resident that he was catching his breath, but prosecutors alleged he was surveying another residence to ascertain if a former client resided there. Shortly after, Morrison parked his car near the victim’s house and was captured on CCTV approaching the property at 11 am. He informed the woman that he was there regarding the bins and advised her about a change in the collection schedule, reassuring her due to the recent presence of refuse collectors.
Sentencing has been postponed until April 15 by Judge Peter Horgan to allow for a pre-sentence report and additional medical evidence to be presented.