Sheila Sampson tricked her way into a man’s home, then strangled, beat, and robbed him. She gets eight years.
The court learned she had a history of violence and dishonesty. She was out on parole during this robbery. Previously, she robbed a man and made false accusations, claiming he solicited her for sex. Now, the court considers her a dangerous offender and gave her a longer sentence.
The prosecutor explained the events from January 17th. The man, in his 80s, watched soccer at a pub and walked home around 9:30 pm. CCTV showed Sampson arriving on his street at 10:01 pm. She waited until he arrived and asked to use his bathroom, and he agreed to let her in.
He watched TV after she used the bathroom. Sampson said her name was Emily and claimed he had family nearby. Then, she asked if he had any money. He said no, but she asked again, and again, he denied having any money.
The prosecutor stated that Sampson used a cord and pulled it tight around his neck with both hands. He struggled and fell, and then she hit him multiple times with the ashtray. He felt blood coming down his head and saw her searching his wallet while he was on the floor, also looking for loose coins in his pants. Sampson ran away, and the man called the police immediately.
Emergency services found him injured and bleeding and took him to the hospital. Doctors found cuts on his head, and his throat cartilage was also damaged. Police collected evidence like the string, and DNA identified Sampson. CCTV footage showed her leaving his house and tracked her path to the city center.
Police arrested her on April 21st. She denied knowing the man or attacking him, and she also denied being on the CCTV. The victim said the attack made him fearful of being on his street and entering his home, but that he would not let it ruin his life.
Sheila Sampson pleaded guilty to the robbery. She had 51 past offences including dishonesty and violence, as well as drug and weapons charges. In 2019, she had a 21-week sentence for possessing a knife and drugs and for being present during her boyfriend’s robbery. In 2021, she got 41 months for robbery after she followed a man, asked for a cigarette, attacked him, and stole money, claiming he had been a sex client; CCTV proved that was false. She was on parole when this robbery happened, so she went back to prison for the remainder of that sentence.
Her lawyer said she wants to change, as she knows she will be in prison a long time. She seemed determined to improve her life.
The judge believed the robbery was planned and considered her past crimes too. He said a longer sentence protects the public. She received an eight-year sentence, with six years in prison and two years on license, and she must serve two-thirds before parole.