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Derbyshire Police
A mugger who killed a 100-year-old woman whose neck was broken in a handbag robbery has been jailed.
Sofija Kaczan died of pneumonia brought on by her injuries on 6 June in Normanton, Derby.
Artur Waszkiewicz, 40, of Wolfa Street, Derby, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Judge Nicholas Dean QC said Waszkiewicz was a "cowardly petty criminal" whose dangerous attack had led to "awful consequences".
Mrs Kaczan was robbed near her home in Empress Road, Normanton, on 28 May as she made her way to church.
Heroin addict Waszkiewicz had denied manslaughter and robbery but was found guilty on Wednesday at Derby Crown Court.
Judge Dean handed him 15 years for manslaughter and seven for robbery to run concurrently.
Waszkiewicz has 24 previous convictions for 51 offences, including battery in 2014.
Defence QC David Nathan said he was "not a monster."
But Judge Dean replied: "What he is is a cowardly petty criminal.
"What he did was dangerous. What he did led to awful, awful consequences."
Mr Nathan added: "Mr Waszkiewicz did not simply rob Ms Kaczan of her handbag, he robbed her of her life.
"No doubt over the last few months in custody he will have realised what he has thrown away."
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