Great-grandmother 'stamped to death after taking food to blind man'

A great-grandmother was kicked and stamped to death when she took a blind resident a plate of food in the sheltered accommodation where they lived, a court heard today.

Eileen Jones, 73, was found the next morning in a pool of blood in the man's flat with the uneaten meal in the kitchen.

"In his flat, Eileen Jones was punched, kicked and stamped to death," said Simon Denison, QC, prosecuting at the Old Bailey.

Paul Rangel, 60, had pulled the emergency cord at Mandela House, Shoreditch, east London, and asked for help at just past 6am on March 23. The prosecution allege Christopher Newton, who had been visiting Mr Rangel, killed Mrs Jones.

Newton, 45, of Bow, east London, denies murder.
Mr Denison said Mrs Jones was known as a friendly and chatty lady who liked playing bingo.

On the afternoon of March 22 she had noticed a meal left by meals on wheels which had not been eaten. She told another resident that a similar thing had happened the previous week and she was going to take it to him, the court heard.

Mr Denison said Newton was entertaining two friends in his flat. All were heavy drinkers.
Police had found a sack outside the building containing Mrs Jones's blood-covered glasses along with 18 empty cans of strong lager and two empty brandy bottles.

Mrs Jones had died as a result of kicking and stamping to her head and chest. She had multiple fractures to her ribs and face.

Mr Denison said the room was heavily blood-stained and shoe marks in blood on her clothing matched Newton's trainers.

Mr Rangel had lied to police about Mrs Jones arriving at his flat with injuries, the court heard.

Newton, who was seen on CCTV leaving the flat two minutes before the cord was pulled, said Mrs Jones had been alive when he last saw her. The trial continues.