A WOMAN has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years for the murder in London of a 91-year-old Irishman whom she hit over the head with a bottle of wine during a robbery.
Melanie Cole (49) struck retired builder William Reilly over the head with a bottle a few days after Christmas last year.
Mr Reilly, who was originally from Mayo, was found covered in blood sitting on the edge of his bed by his son James at their home in Tower Gardens, Tottenham, north London.
He suffered head injuries after being hit by a bottle of wine, and then hit again by a bottle of liqueur, the Old Bailey heard.
The pensioner, who was registered blind and almost deaf, died a week later in hospital after developing pneumonia.
Judge David Paget told Cole: “It may be that you will never be released and may die in prison. You battered to death a 91-year-old man in his home in order to get money from him for drink or drugs.
“It may have been only £20. What is truly shocking is the brutality of what you did.”
Cole, of Culford Road, Islington, north London, denied the charge and claimed Mr Reilly was well when she left him. It was the third time Cole had appeared at the Old Bailey charged with murder.
She was formally acquitted of murder in 2005 when two juries failed to reach verdicts in the case of 47-year-old Robin Williams. Mr Williams had been hit over the head with a bottle and stabbed. He was found in a bath at his Tottenham home.
The jury was not told of the previous case because it would have been prejudicial, the court was told. Mr Reilly, who was born in Balla, Co Mayo, was part of a large family.
His son Seán said in a statement he was much loved by all his friends and family and would be greatly missed.
He had been killed in a “brutal and mindless act”.
Mr Reilly said: “He stood for decency and integrity – qualities which Melanie Cole knew nothing about.” – (PA)