A man has been jailed for burgling the house of a retired nurse and killing her during a violent confrontation.
Hugo Da Silva Pires, 29, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, was sentenced at the Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 25 November, to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter, burglary and fraud.
He pleaded guilty at the same court on 13 February.
The court heard how Da Silva Pires burgled the Croydon home of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah on 20 June 2023. He knew she lived alone as he had recently fitted a kitchen for her and even attended the address earlier that day to help Nelly register some kitchen appliances.
During the burglary, he violently attacked Nelly, which resulted in her falling down the stairs and subsequently dying. Da Silva Pires then went on to use Nelly’s bank card, which he had stolen, to buy smartphones, children’s bedding, and power tools.
Detectives quickly identified Da Silva Pires after CCTV caught him using Nelly’s bank card. His DNA was also found under her fingernails as she tried to fight back.
In a statement, Nelly’s family said, “The past 17 months have been an unimaginable ordeal for us. We have endured grief, heartbreak, and the long process of seeking justice. We want to thank the police (in particular our Family Liaison Officer and case officer) and everyone who worked so hard to ensure that Nelly’s voice was heard.
“No punishment can ever bring our mother, grandmother, sister, friend and mentor Nelly back, or fill the void her absence has left in our lives.
“Hugo Da Silva Pires is a heartless individual. He deliberately preyed on an elderly woman who trusted him in her home as a tradesman. The manslaughter conviction can never quantify the severity of this crime, and the lasting impact that Da Silva Pires’ callous motivations will have on the many, many people who loved Nelly.”
“As we move forward, we ask for privacy as we can finally grieve and try to rebuild our lives. We hope that this sentencing serves as a message that such senseless violence and greed has no place in our society.”
Da Silva Pires tried to cover his tracks. He cut the wires to the CCTV system installed at the address before he entered so he would not be captured on the footage. He entered a shipping address in the Azores for the items he bought on Nelly’s bank card – although he put an address of Thornton Heath for an iPhone, he attempted to buy. He eventually discarded the bank cards at Clapham Junction Train Station.
He also got rid of his mobile phone, which his girlfriend Catiana Feliciano, helped him to do.
The investigation team quickly identified Da Silva Pires and his girlfriend and tracked them to Stanstead Airport, arresting them before they could flee the country.
At the time of his arrest, Da Silva Pires had scratches on his face and neck. His DNA was found under Nelly’s fingernails.
Da Silva Pires was initially identified after images were obtained of people using Nelly’s bank card. This, along with information regarding a recent kitchen renovation, helped officers identify Da Silva Pires and then Feliciano.
His girlfriend, Catiana Feliciano, 33, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to fraud and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in January 2024.
