Man guilty for assault on 99-year-old

File Photo / Greg Bowker

A man accused of attacking a 99-year-old woman in her Palmerston North home in 2008 today pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring with intent to injure.

Glen Patrick Joseph Walsh, 22, went on trial in Palmerston North District Court on Monday facing charges of indecent assault, injuring with intent to injure and remaining with intent.

The charges followed an incident on November 13, 2008 when Walsh pushed his way into Thelma Lawrence's home. Police were alerted to the attack by Mrs Lawrence's screams and found her bruised and bleeding in the house.

She remained in hospital for four months after the attack and died there, aged 100.

An autopsy showed she died of pneumonia, not as a result of the injuries suffered in the attack.

Walsh today admitted pushing and punching Mrs Lawrence, pleading guilty to injuring with intent and bringing his trial to a halt.

The judge dismissed the remaining charges.

- NZPA