THIS is the dramatic moment a burglar who killed an OAP and left her husband fighting for life after hog-tying them was arrested for murder.
Vasile Culea, 33, tortured 86-year-old Freda Walker in front of husband Ken, 88, in a “brutal, savage and merciless” attack.
The elderly couple were savagely beaten before being “bound, hog-tied, gagged and left to their fate” in the home in Langwith Junction, Derby.
Freda was declared dead at the scene, while Ken died some months later – although his death was not connected to the attack.
Culea, who was assisted by a Romanian interpreter in court, has now been convicted of murdering Freda.
He was cleared of attempted murder in relation to Ken but convicted of wounding with intent.
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Dramatic footage showing police battering down his door as they swooped to detain him has now been released following the verdict.
Culea can be seen being bundled onto his bed as officers tell him he is being arrested.
As they handcuff him, a TV screen on the wall shows he had been watching crime drama Queen of the South on Netflix.
Culea can then be seen on the floor of a van as he rights are read to him.
Derby Crown Court heard how Culea had skulked in the shadows outside the home as he prepared to ambush Ken and Freda in January.
Chilling CCTV showed him making several reconnaissance trips around the property after hatching the grim plan to steal £30,000 the couple had recently withdrawn.
After lying in wait for Ken and Freda, the intruder forced his way into the pair’s home of 60 years to demand the cash.
When local councillor Ken said he could not remember where it was, Culea launched into the vicious attack.
He battered the elderly couple, who had been married for more than 60 years, then tied them up before leaving them to die.
They were discovered 12 hours later – with former seamstress Freda found on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood.
She had been gagged with plastic bags and had a pillowcase and a bin liner over her head.
Husband Ken was discovered still bound under the dining room table also covered in blood.
Culea was captured on CCTV calmly walking away from the house in a crude attempt to disguise his appearance.
The killer had spent more than three hours torturing the couple before leaving them for dead at around 8.48pm.
Culea was arrested at his home in Church Warsop, Notts, after a police manhunt.
Shockingly, he had left a cap at the couple’s home that returned a positive DNA hit.
He claimed he accidentally injured Freda after “slipping” on a spilt drink and stepping on her chest.
The brute also said he only tied the victims up so he could search the home “peacefully” but left after being spooked by a noise outside.
Culea, who had visited a bookmakers on the day of the attack, claimed he needed the money because of his spiralling gambling debts.
Medics said Freda suffered 25 injuries – including multiple blunt force injuries – after being battered in the “sustained” attack.
She had survived for at least an hour after the attack and had a reasonable prospect of survival had she received help.
Ken also suffered injuries to his brain including a haemorrhage as well as substantial facial bruising, a spine fracture, blood in the ear canal and a broken nose.
TDI Van Schaick said, said: “There is no doubt that having worked so hard over the years that Freda and Kenneth deserved a long, happy retirement and peace in their later years.
“This was taken away from them back in January when Vasile Culea, believing the couple had money in the address, went in with the intention to steal from them.
“When he encountered Freda and Kenneth, he assaulted them, killing Freda and leaving Kenneth for dead. The methods he used were truly shocking.
“Whilst Kenneth may have survived the attack, he had lost his wife and lived out his remaining days requiring constant care before he sadly passed away shortly before this case was due to be heard.
“Whist this verdict can never reverse Culea’s actions on that night I do hope it provides some consolation to those affected by this horrific crime that justice has been done.”
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Culea previously admitted manslaughter in regards to Freda and inflicting GBH on her husband.
He will be sentenced on Friday.
