'Gentleman' Jim's murderer back in prison after robbing another pensioner

A MURDERER who suffocated a pensioner has been told he may never been released from prison after robbing another elderly man.

Christopher Roche, who preyed on elderly people, pushed the 73-year-old man to the ground after grabbing him outside the door to his flat.

The man hit his head on a concrete step and suffered a cut so deep, his skull was visible.

Roche, 43, had been out of prison for just over 12 months after serving 17 years for the murder of 66-year-old "Gentleman" Jim Maloney in east Hull in 1994 when he committed the crime.

Judge Mark Bury, who sentenced Roche to 14 years, said he will probably spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Detective Inspector Nicki Miller, from Hull's priority crime team, said: "Roche is a dangerous man who will hopefully never have the opportunity to target vulnerable or elderly people again."

In the latest attack, Roche put a black bin liner over his head before grabbing his victim, who was trying to padlock his door inside the block of flats in Nornabell Street.

Detective Constable Justin Marrow, who investigated the case, said: "Roche took put his hands around the victim and shoved him against the wall. The man tried to fight back by hitting Roche with the padlock but he was pushed to the floor and hit his head on a concrete step.

"He suffered a large and very deep wound to the head. He was lucky the injury was not much worse."

Roche escaped with the man's wallet, containing £160, bank cards and his bus pass.

The victim recognised Roche, despite him disguising himself, as living in the same block of flats.

Roche was arrested and recalled to prison as part of the condition of his life licence after the robbery on December 13 last year.

He will be eligible to apply for parole in seven years, although Judge Bury said his chances of it being successful are "very slim".

Roche was described as "depraved" by a judge when he was sentenced in 1995 for the murder.

He asphyxiated Mr Maloney, probably with a pillow, during a burglary at his home in Preston Road. Roche escaped with just £45.

Mr Maloney, described as a "perfect gentleman," was found dead on his sofa by wife Eileen. A back window at the house had been forced and money was missing from his back pocket.

The murder was the culmination of a crime spree by Roche, during which he repeatedly targeted elderly people.

During a robbery at the Greatfield home of 81-year-old Marian Ward, Roche squeezed her neck and throat until she revealed where her money was.

She died a few months later, with her family saying she never recovered from the terror she endured.

Just a day before killing Mr Maloney, Roche burgled the Preston Road home of 61-year-old widow Marie Cawkwell. She woke to find Roche at the bottom of her bed and begged him not to hurt her before he stole her bag and engagement ring.

Roche pleaded guilty to the robbery when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.

DI Miller said: "We welcome this sentence as this was a vicious and unprovoked attack an elderly man who lives alone.

"Clearly, Christopher Roche pre-planned the attack. He has previous convictions for targeting elderly people for offences of a similar nature."