Edwin Morrison, an 81-year-old man, attempted to rob a 95-year-old woman in her home in Little Hulton, Salford, Greater Manchester, on January 27, according to multiple reports. During the incident, Morrison strangled the victim and shouted 'give me your money,' and he bound her hands with cable ties, the reports indicate. Morrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, as confirmed by major media sources.
The attempted robbery was interrupted by the arrival of the victim's mobile hairdresser, which likely prevented further harm, according to those reports. Morrison was arrested at his home in Worsley the day after the incident, according to major media. He was remanded into custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 18, the same source reported.
I thought I was going to die that day.
While in custody, Morrison had been on a hunger strike, which has now ended, multiple reports indicate. Morrison set up a GoFundMe page in January to raise money for his funeral because he had cancer, according to multiple reports. He was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer in May 2024, major media reported.
Additionally, Morrison is refusing to take medication for a heart condition, the same source stated. Morrison targeted the victim after previously delivering medication to her home as part of his former job, multiple reports indicate. Morrison had no previous convictions, according to those reports.
I have lived in my home since 1976. This has always been my safe place. Since the incident, I don’t feel like myself anymore. My health has deteriorated since the attack. I have nightmares and disrupted sleep.
Morrison was regularly gambling at his local bookmaker's in the months before the attack, major media reported. A psychiatric report concluded Morrison was suffering from a depressive disorder by the end of 2025, the same source stated. Conflicting accounts exist regarding Morrison's motivation for the attempted robbery.
Multiple reports indicate his motivation was to pay for his funeral. However, major media also reported that his motivation was to buy his partner a new kitchen before taking his own life. Morrison had considered taking his own life but was concerned about being a burden to his family and leaving funeral costs behind, major media reported.
I now wake up thinking someone is outside and that I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I cannot go outside.
Morrison denied counts of strangulation, common assault, and two counts of false imprisonment against two different women, according to major media. Morrison was sentenced to seven years in prison, major media reported. The current health status of the 95-year-old victim is unknown, and it remains unclear how she has recovered from the traumatic event.
Unresolved questions persist about the outcome of the psychiatric report ordered for Morrison and the exact date of his sentencing hearing, which could impact future legal proceedings. Additional unknowns include what specific amount of money Morrison was attempting to steal during the robbery and why he denied the additional charges, leaving aspects of the case open to speculation. The case highlights broader issues of elderly crime and mental health in the criminal justice system, with Morrison's terminal illness and financial struggles adding complexity to the sentencing decision.