Vasile Culea trial: Man accused of murdering 86-year-old Derbyshire pensioner Freda Walker admits causing her death

By Tim Cunningham

Crown Court Reporter

Published 11th Oct 2022, 13:08 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2022, 13:15 BST
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A man charged with murdering an 86-year-old pensioner at her home in Langwith Junction has today admitted causing her death – but denied murder.

Freda Walker was found dead at her home on Station Road, on January 15.

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Her husband Ken was critically injured and taken to hospital. He died in August from natural causes.

Vasile Culea this morning admitted Mrs Walker's manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Walker, when he appeared at Derby Crown Court.

An artist's impression of Vasile Culea accused of the murder of Freda Walker and the attempted murder of Ken Walker at Langwith Junction, Derbyshire. Image: Helen Tipper/SWNS.An artist's impression of Vasile Culea accused of the murder of Freda Walker and the attempted murder of Ken Walker at Langwith Junction, Derbyshire. Image: Helen Tipper/SWNS.
An artist's impression of Vasile Culea accused of the murder of Freda Walker and the attempted murder of Ken Walker at Langwith Junction, Derbyshire. Image: Helen Tipper/SWNS.

However, Culea, aged 33, of Grove Road, Church Warsop, denies Mrs Walker’s murder and the unlawful and malicious inflicting of grievous bodily harm on Mr Walker.

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A charge of attempted murder in relation to Mr Walker has been discontinued.

His trial has been delayed because of a strike by barristers, but is due to start this afternoon.

Michael Auty KC, prosecuting, said he estimated the trial to last until the middle of next week.

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Ken and Freda Walker.Ken and Freda Walker.
Ken and Freda Walker.

Mr and Mrs Walker were found by a concerned neighbour at their home on the morning of January 15.

In February, a coroner gave the provisional cause of Mrs Walker's death as head injuries and airway obstruction.

A service for Mr Walker, a former councillor on Shirebrook Town and Bolsover District councils, and an Honorary Alderman, was held in Mansfield Crematorium’s Thoresby Chapel, yesterday, Monday.