Edward Sanchez. Pic: Met Police
A mentally-ill man who dragged a 92-year-old woman down a road to steal her purse has had his sentencing adjourned for the sixth time.
Paranoid Schizophrenic Sanchez Edwards pleaded guilty to robbery in August 2017, having caused “serious physical and/or psychological harm” to the elderly victim. At the time of sentencing a psychological report was ordered by Judge Joanna Greenberg, but there were no beds free for Edwards.
Sentencing was due to take place on December 7, December 20, January 8 and January 31 but there was still no space for the 28-year-old. Last Friday Wood Green Crown Court was notified of a bed at a psychiatric ward in Hertfordshire and sentencing was arranged for February 13.
However, Judge Graham Arran decided to adjourn the sentencing of Edwards for the sixth time as his colleague Judge Greenberg was on holiday, saying: “My preference would be for Judge Greenberg to deal with this.
“She has reserved the case so unless there’s a good reason for taking away that reserving, I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t go behind the back of another judge who has formed a view of her need to deal with it.”
Edwards, who has no fixed address, robbed the 92-year-old in June 2017 on Hoxton Street in Hackney. He dragged her three metres down the street, cracking several ribs and leaving her heavily bruised down one side. Her husband, who she cared for full time, had died just weeks before.
Det Insp Paul Ridley, from Hackney CID, said: “In addition to the physical injuries, there is also the emotional impact and she still suffers from anxiety and recurring nightmares, and remains terrified of leaving her home, the attack stripping her of her independence.”
Edwards attacked the pensioner after he had absconded from John Howard medium secure unit a month prior, until the robbery there were no attempts to find him.
The bed at the psychiatric ward in Hertfordshire will be reserved until March 7, when Judge Greenberg returns from her holiday.
