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Man jailed for murdering his 91-year-old grandfather | Man jailed for murdering his 91-year-old grandfather |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A teenager has been jailed for life for murdering and robbing his "defenceless" 91-year-old grandfather to steal £300. | A teenager has been jailed for life for murdering and robbing his "defenceless" 91-year-old grandfather to steal £300. |
Stephen Lang was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he attacked Thomas Lang at the pensioner's Cornwall home. | Stephen Lang was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he attacked Thomas Lang at the pensioner's Cornwall home. |
His victim survived for three days after the attack in April 2012. | His victim survived for three days after the attack in April 2012. |
Lang, 20, from Launceston, had admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury at Truro Crown Court. He was jailed for life and told he would serve at least 15 years. | Lang, 20, from Launceston, had admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury at Truro Crown Court. He was jailed for life and told he would serve at least 15 years. |
'Waste of space' | 'Waste of space' |
A 999 call made by the pensioner from his sheltered accommodation flat in Trecarn Close, Launceston, minutes after his grandson attacked him, was played to the jury. | A 999 call made by the pensioner from his sheltered accommodation flat in Trecarn Close, Launceston, minutes after his grandson attacked him, was played to the jury. |
Thomas Lang told an emergency operator: "My grandson, I don't know for what reason, attacked me." | Thomas Lang told an emergency operator: "My grandson, I don't know for what reason, attacked me." |
He said Lang, then 19, grabbed him and "tried to break my neck". | He said Lang, then 19, grabbed him and "tried to break my neck". |
The pensioner was found with multiple fractures at his home. He died three days later in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. | The pensioner was found with multiple fractures at his home. He died three days later in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. |
The court heard Lang tried to shift the blame on his grandfather by saying he attacked his "waste of space" grandson. | The court heard Lang tried to shift the blame on his grandfather by saying he attacked his "waste of space" grandson. |
Lang, of Queen Elizabeth Road, said his grandfather fell on the floor after he pulled his trolley away from him. | Lang, of Queen Elizabeth Road, said his grandfather fell on the floor after he pulled his trolley away from him. |
He then panicked and took the cash, he added. | He then panicked and took the cash, he added. |
'Truly shocking' | 'Truly shocking' |
Det Insp Stuart Ellis, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was a "terrible crime committed on a defenceless 91-year-old man". | Det Insp Stuart Ellis, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was a "terrible crime committed on a defenceless 91-year-old man". |
He said: "The crime is made all the more tragic as Stephen Lang appeared to have a close relationship with his grandfather and the incident has had a devastating effect on the whole of the family. | He said: "The crime is made all the more tragic as Stephen Lang appeared to have a close relationship with his grandfather and the incident has had a devastating effect on the whole of the family. |
"I cannot begin to understand Stephen Lang's motivation for this crime, but the fact that he could inflict these injuries on his own grandfather is truly shocking. | |
Mr Lang's granddaughter Wendy Long said after the case: "Who could do that to their own grandfather, a 91-year-old man who had to use a trolley to get around? | |
"He was just sat in his chair watching Sky Sports, that was his life. He trusted his family. | |
"It has separated the family straight down the middle. That's the way it is sadly." |
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