An elderly man, facing financial difficulties, was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a 95-year-old woman in her residence to cover his funeral expenses. Edwin Morrison, an 81-year-old retired pharmacy courier, tricked his way into the woman’s home by pretending to discuss bin collection changes. Once inside, he threatened and strangled the woman, demanding money and her purse.
Despite attempting to restrain her with zip ties, Morrison left the property empty-handed when the woman’s hairdresser arrived, disrupting the robbery attempt. Morrison’s motive for the crime was revealed to be his desire to raise funds for his funeral expenses and to purchase a new kitchen for his partner before taking his own life.
In a bid to raise money, Morrison had initiated a failed GoFundMe campaign on New Year’s Day, citing his health struggles and financial constraints. The court learned that Morrison, diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer in May 2024, had resorted to gambling before the incident in January 2026.
Morrison’s defense highlighted his deteriorating mental health, citing depression and despair as factors leading him to contemplate suicide. The defense emphasized that Morrison’s actions were driven by a misguided attempt to alleviate his financial burdens rather than malice.
Upon arrest and subsequent confession, Morrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, with other charges of false imprisonment and intentional strangulation set aside. Detectives expressed shock at the severity of the crime and commended the victim’s bravery and the hairdresser’s quick intervention, which led to Morrison’s apprehension.
The police investigation, involving extensive efforts such as CCTV reviews and door-to-door inquiries, culminated in Morrison’s imprisonment. Detectives praised the victim’s resilience and the swift actions of those involved in thwarting Morrison’s criminal act.