Serial Robber Targeted Viennese Elderly Women: Twelve Years in Prison

At the Vienna Regional Court on Tuesday, a serial robber was legally sentenced to twelve years in prison for serious robbery, grievous bodily harm, and several burglaries. The 39-year-old had targeted elderly and frail women, violently snatching their handbags or ripping jewelry from their necks. The indictment included eleven robbery incidents. One of the victims was 89 years old.

89-Year-Old Robbed at Her Husband's Grave

The elderly woman had visited her deceased husband's grave at the Southwest Cemetery when the 39-year-old accused noticed her. "He asked me something. Because I am hard of hearing, I didn't understand him," the 89-year-old recounted as a witness to a jury. Suddenly, the man pulled at her handbag, prompting her to hit him twice with her walking stick. However, she then fell to the ground. The very elderly woman suffered a skull contusion, a hematoma, and a fracture of the left ring finger. In addition to her handbag, she also lost a locket she wore on a chain around her neck. It was a gift from her deceased husband, given to her in 1980, as she explained to the court.

Accused Admitted to Most Crimes, Denied Cemetery Robbery

Since the robbery, she can no longer visit her husband's final resting place: "I don't dare anymore." The 89-year-old claimed nearly 10,000 euros in damages and compensation for pain and suffering as a private party.

The accused admitted to most of the charges - which included several break-ins into parked cars - but denied the robbery at the Southwest Cemetery. "I definitely didn't do something like that. Maybe Arabs did it. I look a bit like an Arab," said the Bulgarian.

Victims Aged 72 to 93 Years Old

The incriminated robbery incidents occurred between March and August 2024. According to the indictment, the 39-year-old followed his victims into stairwells, elevators, or asked them for directions on the open street, only to then become violent. The youngest victim was 72, the oldest 93 years old. One woman relied on a walker, which did not prevent the accused from snatching her gold necklace. In addition to the 89-year-old, a second victim, from whom the man had snatched two chains worth a total of 4,600 euros, was seriously injured. She suffered a fracture of the twelfth thoracic vertebra.

"All the robberies were in broad daylight and in places where the victims felt safe," emphasized the prosecutor. She highlighted that the Bulgarian had already been convicted twice in Austria. For aggravated robbery, he had received a sentence of five and a half years, but was conditionally released after serving half of the sentence. This was followed by another conviction for burglary. He was released from this conviction in November 2023 and was issued a residence ban. Four months later, he was back in Austria and committed a series of criminal offenses.

39-Year-Old Showed Remorse and Accepted Verdict

"I had a very big crisis. I did all this just to buy heroin. I didn't buy it to buy a house or a car," the accused stated. He admitted to having "made a big mistake," before unexpectedly beginning to sob: "The fact that they were older women destroys me."

"What happened is terrible. Frightening. Repulsive. The background is his drug addiction," said the 39-year-old's legal counsel. The accused will "sit for a long time. He knows that."

The 39-year-old agreed with the sentence imposed on him. In addition to the twelve years, he must serve another two years and nine months - the open period originally suspended for probation from the two previous convictions, which was now revoked due to the rapid relapse. The prosecutor also waived any legal remedies.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.