A 52-year-old Nigerian woman who attempted to murder a 90-year-old grandmother has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Abosede Adeyinka, a carer, of Hayman Crescent, Hayes, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday, 2 November.
She had been found guilty of attempted murder following a trial on Wednesday, 1 November.
She was found not guilty of possession of a bladed article. The conviction follows the brutal attack of the elderly woman in her own home.
At about 20:20hrs on Thursday, 27 April police were called to reports of an elderly woman assaulted at an address in Lilac Place, West Drayton.
Officers attended and a 90-year-old woman was found with serious head injuries and a knife wound to her neck.
The victim was taken to hospital and was found to have sustained a skull fracture and a serious wound to her neck. Thankfully she has since recovered from most of the physical effects of the attack.
Detectives from Hillingdon CID launched an investigation into the incident. Their investigation uncovered how Adeyinka had managed to build a relationship with the victim over a period of time, after she previously provided private care at the address.
Adeyinka continued to visit the victim, occasionally even after her work at the address had finished, and was familiar with her weekly routine.
At about 19:30hrs on the evening of the assault, Adeyinka went to the elderly victim’s home.
Adeyinka knocked on the door and when she got no reply went to the key safe for the house.
However the victim was at home, having been recently dropped off by her son who had taken her shopping.
Because of her age she had not got to the door to answer the knock, but then opened it just as Adeyinka approached it.
Adeyinka had disguised herself with a face covering but the victim was still able to recognise her. She asked Adeyinka what she wanted, but Adeyinka pushed her to the floor and entered the property. She then pulled a medical call alert from the victim’s neck.
Adeyinka then took a hammer from her handbag and struck the victim at least twice over the head.
During the incident the victim also received a knife injury to the neck with the blade being lodged there.
With incredible courage the victim managed to pull the knife out of her neck and throw it back towards her attacker.
Thinking quickly, the victim told Adeyinka that her son was on his way and Adeyinka left the property.
The motive for her visiting the address was believed to be in order to steal property.
On Friday, 28 April Adeyinka was arrested by detectives on suspicion of attempted murder.
A coat recovered at Adeyinka’s home was found to have traces of the victim’s blood, as was a handbag Adeyinka had with her at the time of her arrest.
She was charged on Saturday, 29 April.
DC James Harbour, the investigating officer from Hillingdon CID, said:
“This was a vile and disgusting crime on a defenceless grandmother in her own home.
There are so many factors that make this a wicked attack, including a victim who was 90 and the level of violence used.
In view of the age of the victim and brutality of the attack I am truly thankful that the victim has been able to recover.
“It is a credit to her that she was able to attend the trial in person and tell the court what had happened to her. I wish to pay tribute to her courage, resolve and integrity; a stark contrast to the behaviour of the defendant, who is now facing a lengthy term in prison.”
