A man and woman have been sentenced to prison in Reading after a brutal assault on a man in his eighties, resulting in grievous bodily harm, robbery, and fraud charges.
Paul Nicola, 60, of Patrick Haugh Road, Bicester, was handed a 14-year prison sentence at Reading Crown Court on Friday, June 6. Nicola was found guilty by unanimous jury verdicts for robbery, section 18 grievous bodily harm (GBH), and fraud by false representation following a January trial.
Samantha Grindrod, 37, of Maker Close, Reading, received a seven-year and six-month prison sentence on the same day after pleading guilty to robbery and fraud by false representation.
The incident occurred on June 29 last year, when the elderly victim kindly gave Grindrod some food at his home. While the victim was in the kitchen, Grindrod let Nicola into the house. Nicola then assaulted the man with multiple punches to the face, continuing the attack while demanding the victim’s bank card PIN and threatening to kill him if he did not comply.
After the attack, the victim managed to call for help from his landline. He suffered severe injuries including a brain bleed, broken shoulder, and fractured ribs but has since made a full recovery.
Detective Constable Katherine Darling, leading the investigation, said: “I hope these court results serve as a deterrent to anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to target vulnerable people in our communities.
“Paul Nicola and Samantha Grindrod subjected the victim to a horrific and sustained attack, but thankfully he has recovered fully. I encourage any victims of assault or abuse to come forward to police or support agencies.”
