'Evil' career criminal who battered OAP to death dies in prison

An "evil" and "dangerous" career criminal, Neil Lovell, has passed away in prison. The assailant rose to notoriety after the horrific attack on elderly Dorothy McCulley at her Hightown residence back in November 2011 while he was under the influence of crack cocaine.

Impersonating a charity worker, Lovell broke into the then-76 year old's home. In a spine-chilling ordeal, she was punched, strangled and dragged across the floor during an attempted robbery. During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court the next year, harrowing details emerged as Lovell - fresh out of prison from a 12-year sentence for a strikingly similar crime just weeks prior - threatened his petrified victim, frighteningly stating: "Shut up or I will kill you".

In a twist of bravery, neighbour Barbara Chislett, then 64, darted to assist upon hearing the screams but was met with violence when Lovell landed a punch. He later admitted guilt to charges of assault with intent to rob and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Hailing from Lind Street, Walton, Lovell received an indeterminate sentencing, restricting his release until it could be established that he posed no threat to public safety, reports the .

Authorities have recently verified Lovell's death on April 21 this year at HMP Stocken in Rutland, prompting an official inquiry by the Prison and Probations Ombudsman into the circumstances surrounding his demise at the category C facility.

Reflecting on his decades-spanning career during the 2012 sentencing, Judge Bryn Holloway expressed that despite long years on the bench he had encountered cases that continued to shock, proclaiming: "I have served 21 years at the Bar and I am in my 20th year as a judge. I often think I have heard it all and nothing could be worse."

The judge declared: "But this is as bad a case of robbery I have heard in all that time. Your behaviour towards this unfortunate lady was quite appalling. You have an appalling record of very similar types of offences. You are just an evil, dangerous man who should be locked away for as long as possible, until such a time as when others deem it safe for you to be let out."

Following Lovell's imprisonment, Mrs McCulley commented: "I am pleased the judge has recognised how dangerous Lovell is. What would have happened if I hadn't been as strong or Barbara hadn't come to help? Lovell could have killed me. My balance has been badly affected. I can't go outside without help for fear of losing my balance. I refuse to live in fear and I'm determined it is not going to spoil the rest of my life but I am certainly more careful now when people I don't know come to the door.

"The whole reason Lovell got in my house was because I did not want to be rude and talk to him through the door. Now, I have new locks and a glass door so I can see who is there and I always ask to see their identity card first."

Barbara Chislett added: "It was an appalling thing that happened to Dorothy and I. I am delighted with the outcome at court."