Zofija Kaczan death: Mugging victim, 100, 'had blood on head'

A 100-year-old woman, who died days after being mugged, was found bloodied and dazed, a court has heard.

Zofija Kaczan died on 6 June last year after suffering a fractured neck when her bag was snatched in the street in the Normanton area of Derby.

Derby Crown Court heard from witnesses who found Mrs Kaczan trying to stop the bleeding from a head wound with a scarf.

Artur Waszkiewicz, 40, of Wolfa Street, Derby, denies manslaughter and robbery.

The attack happened near Mrs Kaczan's home in Empress Road, Normanton, on 28 May, as she made her way to church.

The Polish-born widow, who was imprisoned by the Nazis during World War Two, suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured neck and cheekbone.

She died in hospital from pneumonia, a condition which would only have been brought on by the injuries sustained in the attack, jurors have been told.

The trial heard from witnesses who found Mrs Kaczan shortly after the mugging.

Danuta Messaoudi said she was "not in a good state."

"She had blood on her right side of her forehead and she had some tissues with blood."

She was holding a headscarf in the palm of her hand to try to stop the blood, the court heard.

"She was a bit dazed," Mrs Messaoudi added.

The court also heard Mrs Kaczan often carried large sums of cash in her bag.

Angelika Cybulska, a friend who became her carer, said she once discovered £13,500 in Mrs Kaczan's handbag which she advised her to put in a bank.

Speaking about her friend after the attack, she said: "I had never seen her that way. She was just lying there.

"She could not move, she could not go to the toilet, she could not swallow - she was hardly speaking."

A statement given by Mrs Kaczan to police at the time was read out to the court. In it she described how "something hit me really hard to the back of my head". But she did not hear or see her attacker.

The jury was earlier told Mr Waszkiewicz was so desperate for money he had tried to sell his dog to neighbours.

The trial continues.

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