An 81-year-old pensioner who attempted to rob a 95-year-old woman in her own home has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Edwin Morrison, a retired pharmacy courier, targeted the vulnerable victim after previously visiting her residence during his former employment.
Disturbing Details of the Attack
Manchester Crown Court heard that Morrison knocked on the woman's door under the pretence of discussing new bin collection dates. Without invitation, he entered the property and proceeded to strangle the elderly victim while demanding money. He repeatedly shouted "Give me your money" as he applied pressure to her throat.
Violent Restraint and Escape
Morrison then used zip-ties to bind the woman's hands together before again grabbing her throat. The victim pleaded for mercy, stating she couldn't breathe, but Morrison told her to "shut up." He only fled empty-handed when the woman's mobile hairdresser arrived for a scheduled appointment.
Financial Desperation and Mental Health
The court heard that Morrison, who has no previous convictions, was motivated by financial desperation. He had created a GoFundMe page titled "Help to bury me" on New Year's Day to raise money for his funeral expenses, but it received no donations. Diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer in May 2024, Morrison told the court he hoped to use stolen money to buy his partner a new kitchen before taking his own life.
Psychological Assessment
A psychiatric report concluded Morrison was suffering from a "depressive disorder" by the end of 2025. His barrister, Nick Clarke, described the offence as stemming from "depression and despair," claiming the motivation was "altruistic rather than malicious" as Morrison didn't want to burden his family with funeral costs.
Victim Impact and Police Response
In a victim impact statement, the 95-year-old woman told the court: "I thought I was going to die." Detective Inspector Paul Davies from Greater Manchester Police's Salford district commended the victim's resilience and the hairdresser's brave intervention, which prevented further harm.
Morrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in March, with other potential charges of false imprisonment and intentional strangulation remaining on file. Police traced him to his home through his Peugeot's movements following the January 2026 attack.
