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Robert Buczek guilty of Eleanor Whitelaw scissors murder | Robert Buczek guilty of Eleanor Whitelaw scissors murder |
(about 1 month later) | |
A 24-year-old man has been found guilty of the "brutal" murder of an 85-year-old woman in her Edinburgh home. | A 24-year-old man has been found guilty of the "brutal" murder of an 85-year-old woman in her Edinburgh home. |
Robert Buczek killed Eleanor Whitelaw, known as Norah, by stabbing her seven times in the neck with a pair of scissors at her house in Morningside. | Robert Buczek killed Eleanor Whitelaw, known as Norah, by stabbing her seven times in the neck with a pair of scissors at her house in Morningside. |
The pensioner died in hospital 17 days later. | The pensioner died in hospital 17 days later. |
After the verdict it emerged Buczek already had a previous conviction for assaulting and robbing another pensioner - when he was only 14. | After the verdict it emerged Buczek already had a previous conviction for assaulting and robbing another pensioner - when he was only 14. |
Sentence on the Polish national, who had denied murdering Mrs Whitelaw in her home on Morningside Grove on 11 July last year, was deferred until next month. | Sentence on the Polish national, who had denied murdering Mrs Whitelaw in her home on Morningside Grove on 11 July last year, was deferred until next month. |
'Revolting crime' | |
The jury of 10 men and five women returned a unanimous guilty verdict. | The jury of 10 men and five women returned a unanimous guilty verdict. |
Judge Lord Matthews told Buczek: "You have been found guilty - frankly unsurprising given the evidence - of the brutal murder of a vulnerable, elderly woman in her own home. | Judge Lord Matthews told Buczek: "You have been found guilty - frankly unsurprising given the evidence - of the brutal murder of a vulnerable, elderly woman in her own home. |
"This was a revolting crime." | "This was a revolting crime." |
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told how in 2005, Buczek knocked over an 82-year-old woman in Poland and took her handbag containing money. | Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told how in 2005, Buczek knocked over an 82-year-old woman in Poland and took her handbag containing money. |
Mr Prentice said Mrs Whitelaw's death had left her family "deeply distressed". | Mr Prentice said Mrs Whitelaw's death had left her family "deeply distressed". |
The advocate depute said: "She leaves her husband, children and wider family. | The advocate depute said: "She leaves her husband, children and wider family. |
"They have explained that this death was particularly painful in that it occurred in the house where they grew up." | "They have explained that this death was particularly painful in that it occurred in the house where they grew up." |
The court had earlier heard how Mrs Whitelaw fell to the ground fracturing her skull during the attack. | The court had earlier heard how Mrs Whitelaw fell to the ground fracturing her skull during the attack. |
Labourer Buczek then dragged her along the hallway and dumped her in another room. | Labourer Buczek then dragged her along the hallway and dumped her in another room. |
He then prowled round the house rummaging in cupboards and drawers before leaving with an envelope of stamps and a box containing spoons. | He then prowled round the house rummaging in cupboards and drawers before leaving with an envelope of stamps and a box containing spoons. |
The trial heard from forensic experts who found DNA matching Buczek's on a pair of bloodstained scissors and a water bottle. | The trial heard from forensic experts who found DNA matching Buczek's on a pair of bloodstained scissors and a water bottle. |
Giving evidence last week, the 24-year-old told the jury he had never been to the house and had "no idea" why the scissors and bottle with his DNA were found there. | Giving evidence last week, the 24-year-old told the jury he had never been to the house and had "no idea" why the scissors and bottle with his DNA were found there. |
"I've never been there in my life and I never attacked that woman in her house," he said. "I've never in my life hurt a woman." | "I've never been there in my life and I never attacked that woman in her house," he said. "I've never in my life hurt a woman." |
Det Ch Insp Keith Hardie, of Police Scotland, said: "This was a brutal and sustained attack on an elderly lady in her own home and our dedicated enquiry team worked tirelessly to trace the perpetrator. | Det Ch Insp Keith Hardie, of Police Scotland, said: "This was a brutal and sustained attack on an elderly lady in her own home and our dedicated enquiry team worked tirelessly to trace the perpetrator. |
"Now that Robert Buczek has been convicted, I hope the family of Eleanor Whitelaw will be left with some closure." | "Now that Robert Buczek has been convicted, I hope the family of Eleanor Whitelaw will be left with some closure." |