A BURGLAR who hog-tied an OAP couple before torturing the wife to death in front of her husband of more than 60 years has been jailed.

Vasile Culea, 33, lashed a "brutal, savage and merciless" attack on 86-year-old Freda Walker and her husband Ken, 88, in January.

The elderly couple were savagely beaten before being "bound, hog-tied, gagged and left to their fate" in the home in Langwith Junction, Derby.

Freda was declared dead at the scene, while Ken died some months later.

However, his death was not connected to the attack.

Today, Culea was sentenced to 34 years in prison for the horrific crime.

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During Culea's sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Henshaw told Derby Crown Court: "You attacked them both leaving them with brain injuries, lacerations and many other injuries.

"Very sadly, Freda Walker died within an hour or so of this savage attack."

He went on: "You murdered Freda Walker for gain because you killed her in the course of the furtherance of your burglary."

Culea, who was assisted by a Romanian interpreter in court, had previously been convicted of murdering Freda.

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He was cleared of attempted murder in relation to Ken but convicted of wounding with intent.

Derby Crown Court previously heard how Culea had lurked in the shadows outside the home as he prepared to ambush Ken and Freda in January.

Chilling CCTV showed him making several reconnaissance trips around the property after hatching the grim plan to steal £30,000 the couple had recently withdrawn.

POOL OF BLOOD

After lying in wait for Ken and Freda, the intruder forced his way into the pair's house, which they had called home for 60 years, to demand the cash.

When local councillor Ken said he could not remember where it was, Culea launched into the vicious attack.

He battered the elderly couple, who had been married for more than 60 years, then tied them up before leaving them to die.

They were discovered 12 hours later – with former seamstress Freda found on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood.

She had been gagged with plastic bags and had a pillowcase and a bin liner over her head.

Husband Ken was discovered still bound under the dining room table also covered in blood.

Culea was captured on CCTV calmly walking away from the house in a crude attempt to disguise his appearance.

The killer had spent more than three hours torturing the couple before leaving them for dead at around 8.48pm.

'ACCIDENT'

Culea was arrested at his home in Church Warsop, Notts, after a police manhunt.

Dramatic footage of his arrest emerged on Tuesday.

Shockingly, he had left a cap at the couple's home that returned a positive DNA hit.

He claimed he accidentally injured Freda after "slipping" on a spilt drink and stepping on her chest.

The brute also said he only tied the victims up so he could search the home "peacefully" but left after being spooked by a noise outside.

Culea, who had visited a bookmakers on the day of the attack, claimed he needed the money because of his £11,000 gambling debts.

Medics said Freda suffered 25 injuries – including multiple blunt force injuries – after being battered in the "sustained" attack.

She had survived for at least an hour after the attack and had a reasonable prospect of survival had she received help.

Ken also suffered injuries to his brain including a haemorrhage as well as substantial facial bruising, a spine fracture, blood in the ear canal and a broken nose.

'TRULY SHOCKING'

Culea had previously admitted manslaughter in regards to Freda and inflicting GBH on her husband.

TDI Van Schaick said, said: “There is no doubt that having worked so hard over the years that Freda and Kenneth deserved a long, happy retirement and peace in their later years.

“This was taken away from them back in January when Vasile Culea, believing the couple had money in the address, went in with the intention to steal from them.

“When he encountered Freda and Kenneth, he assaulted them, killing Freda and leaving Kenneth for dead. The methods he used were truly shocking.

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“Whilst Kenneth may have survived the attack, he had lost his wife and lived out his remaining days requiring constant care before he sadly passed away shortly before this case was due to be heard.

“Whist this verdict can never reverse Culea’s actions on that night I do hope it provides some consolation to those affected by this horrific crime that justice has been done.”

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