Pair behind bars for vicious attack

Reporter: OUR COURT REPORTER
Date online: 14 January 2009

Man, 81, beaten in own flat

Two drug addicts who battered an 81-year-old man for £10 during a vicious robbery at his home have been jailed for a total of 101/2 years.

Leanne Twist and Imran Arif left their elderly victim haunted by the attack. He died two months later.

Twist (23), of Densmore Road, Failsworth; and Arif (21), of Vale Drive, Oldham; struck in September, last year, when they sneaked into the gated Summervale House tower block, on Manchester Street, and kicked in the door of a first-floor flat occupied by pensioner Emanuel Martinez.

Arif ripped a 2ft-long wooden coat hanger baton off the wall and repeatedly hit the victim over the head with it.

Mr Martinez’s hands were cut to pieces as he desperately tried to defend himself in the prolonged attack.

Arif and Twist fled with only £10 to fuel their drug addiction.

Mr Martinez suffered cuts to his head and hands and was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, where he remained for a couple of days.

He died from a kidney infection in November.

It was said that after the attack, Mr Martinez was not his usual self and couldn’t be left alone in his flat.

Twist and Arif admitted robbery. Arif got 51/2 years in jail, while Twist was given five years.

Mark Fireman, prosecuting at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, said: “Just past 10pm on Friday, September 5, both Arif and Twist were seen on CCTV footage.

“Arif had a large plank of wood with nails coming out of it. He was still carrying the piece of wood outside the flats. Then the pair ran and threw the wood into some bushes.”

Arif and Twist were identified and arrested on September 11.

Martin Walsh, defending, said: “She is 23 years of age and pleaded guilty at the first possible opportunity. She comes from a difficult family background. Her childhood was troubled and she was a hard drug addict at 18. Her life was about paying money for drugs.”

On behalf of Arif, defence counsel Phillip Parry said: “This is a very upsetting and mean offence. He is disgusted with himself that he allowed himself to be involved in these type of offences.

“In September, his was in the vice-like grip of his addiction. He expresses great remorse for what he did that night.”

Passing sentence Judge Timothy Mort said: “There is little to be said in mitigation.

“A robbery of this sort is a serious offence and a substantial sentence has to follow.”

Inspector Paul Hatton of Oldham division said: “I am glad these individuals have had to face the consequences of their disgraceful behaviour.”