(posted 7101 days ago)South London Press
Murder denied in 'serial robber' case
Nov 9 2004AN 82-YEAR-OLD woman died of a brain haemorrhage after she was punched and thrown to the floor, a court heard.
Hilda Ashdown is believed to be the sixth robbery victim of alleged serial thug Elroy Simmonds, 26, on March 13 last year.
Simmonds, of Tobey Close, White Hart Street, Kennington, is said to have carried out 11 robberies on the frail and elderly.
He denies murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, 11 counts of robbery and two counts of assault with intent to rob between June 14, 2002 and April 19, 2003.
A pair of grey trainers found at Simmond's home bore traces of Mrs Ashdown's blood and matched a footprint found at the scene outside her flat in Monclar Road, Denmark Hill.
But Simmonds insisted a mobile phone stolen from a 90-year-old victim and found at his flat was given to him by a friend he could not name for fear of reprisals.
Simmonds told the Old Bailey on Thursday that he bought the trainers from a car boot sale and had only worn them for three or four days while decorating his home.
The trial continues.