An 81-year-old man with terminal cancer attempted to rob a 95-year-old woman in a bizarre bid to fund his own funeral. Edwin Morrison, a retired pharmacy courier, throttled the victim and bound her hands with cable ties in her home in Little Hulton, Salford, on 27 January.
The victim told Manchester Crown Court she struggled to breathe and pleaded with Morrison to let her go, but he told her to 'shut up'. The attempted robbery was interrupted by the arrival of the woman's mobile hairdresser. Morrison was arrested the following day after police traced his car.
The court heard that prior to the attack, Morrison had considered taking his own life but was concerned about being a 'burden' to his family and leaving funeral costs behind. Since being remanded in custody, he has been on a hunger strike, which has now ended, and is refusing medication for a heart condition.
In a victim impact statement, the 95-year-old said: 'I thought I was going to die that day. I have lived in my home since 1976. This has always been my safe place. Since the incident, I don't feel like myself anymore.' She added that she has nightmares and feels like a 'prisoner' in her own home.
Morrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. His defence barrister, Nick Clarke, told the court that Morrison had been a loving partner and stepfather, but had been a gambler for most of his life. He said Morrison is not in debt and used gambling as 'entertainment'.
Morrison, of Worsley, will be sentenced at a later date.
