LONDON WOMAN SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR BRUTAL ASSAULT ON ELDERLY MAN
A woman has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after she committed a brutal assault on a elderly man, Gordon Bland, 79, in his flat in Crystal Palace, south-east London.The court heard that Samantha Butler, 40, who has an emotionally unstable personality disorder and 35 previous convictions for 91 offences including theft, assaulting a police officer, and child cruelty, attacked Mr.
Bland after he offered her money in a pub.
The assault lasted for an hour, during which she hit him over the head with a can of a Canals of England picture, throttled him with an electrical cable, and branded him with a hot iron.
A neighbor called the police after hearing the disturbance.
Mr.
Bland suffered numerous injuries, including bleeding on the brain, and spent five weeks in hospital recovering.
Butler initially claimed she caused the wounds accidentally, suggesting the iron must have fallen on him, but the jury found her guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and not guilty of attempted murder.
The victim stated that he is now unable to use his left hand due to the injuries and feels trapped in his own home, with his activities significantly curtailed.
The judge condemned Butler's life choices and behavior, saying she had shown no remorse or compassion and had launched a 'sustained and vicious attack' on Mr.
Bland, who she had approached for money before the assault.
She was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with the court noting her chaotic and dishonest lifestyle.
