A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after killing a woman in her own home, and running off with her handbag, after he had helped to fit her kitchen appliances
A man killed and robbed a woman who had ‘only ever shown him kindness and trust’.
Hugo Da Silva Pires, from Croydon, has been handed 12 years behind bars for manslaughter after he killed a retired nurse in her own home and ran away from the scene with her handbag.
The 29-year-old helped Nelly Akomah, 76, by fitting her kitchen but returned later the same day when he knew she would be alone to break into her home. Pires has now been sentenced to 12 years behind bars for manslaughter, burglary and fraud, which took place in June of last year.
Pires cut CCTV to Ms Akomah’s home before entering and was confronted by Ms Akomah. He then attacked her, which led to her falling down the stairs and subsequently dying, before stepping over her body and leaving the property with her handbag.
He later then used her bank cards to purchase phones, children’s bedding and power tools.
CCTV showing the criminal using one of Ms Akomah’s cards led to him being captured, and Pires’ DNA was also found beneath Ms Akomah’s fingernails.
Pires also attempted to cover his tracks by entering a shipping address in the Azores for everything he bought with Ms Akomah’s cards. However, he did enter his own address in Thorton Heath, when trying to purchase an iPhone. He then eventually through the cards away at Clapham Junction Station, in southwest London.
With help from his girlfriend, Catiana Feliciano, Pires disposed of his own phone. Feliciano was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2024, for fraud and perverting the cause of justice. The duo had tried to flee the UK, however, police tracked them to Stansted Airport and arrested them before they could board their scheduled flight.
DCI Kate Blackburn said: “The circumstances of Nelly’s death are truly devastating. Nelly was well-loved and highly respected in her community, she was a retired nurse and a treasurer for Tooting Methodist Church. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, leader and friend to many, and she is dearly missed by all who knew her.
“Da Silva Pires crept into Nelly’s home at night, whilst he knew she was upstairs and awake. He intended to steal from her at any cost. Nelly was an elderly woman of small stature, who had only ever shown him kindness and trust.
“Instead of fleeing when he was discovered by Nelly, he violently confronted her which resulted in her falling down the stairs and sadly dying. Da Silva Pires didn’t try to help Nelly, he instead walked over her lifeless body on the stairs and left the house with her handbag.
“Da Silva Pires is an abhorrent man, whose greed and desire to escape responsibility for his actions, resulted in him killing Nelly.”
Ms Akomah’s family shared in a statement following the sentencing: “The past 17 months have been an unimaginable ordeal for us. We have endured grief, heartbreak, and the long process of seeking justice.
“We want to thank the police (in particular our Family Liaison Officer and case officer) and everyone who worked so hard to ensure that Nelly’s voice was heard.
“No punishment can ever bring our mother, grandmother, sister, friend and mentor Nelly back, or fill the void her absence has left in our lives.
“We will forever cherish our memories with the matriarch of our family and community, whose life was taken far too soon. Nelly found joy in serving and helping those around her. A church leader with a 30 plus year nursing career, she cherished her life, her faith and her family and friends.
“Nelly brought compassion and care to everyone she came across in her life and was looking forward to celebrating her 77th birthday with more energy and vivacity than ever.
“Hugo Da Silva Pires is a heartless individual. He deliberately preyed on an elderly woman who trusted him in her home as a tradesman. The manslaughter conviction can never quantify the severity of this crime, and the lasting impact that Da Silva Pires’ callous motivations will have on the many, many people who loved Nelly.
“As we move forward, we ask for privacy as we can finally grieve and try to rebuild our lives. We hope that this sentencing serves as a message that such senseless violence and greed has no place in our society.”