Pharmacist murdered pensioner with crucifix in drunken attack

A PHARMACIST who bludgeoned a pensioner with a crucifix in a violent and drunken attack was jailed for life for murder in Belfast yesterday.

Karen Walsh, aged 45, launched a frenzied attack on her elderly neighbour on Christmas Day 2008, pulling clumps of hair from her head and inflicting head injuries and broken ribs.

A crown of thorns left a distinctive bruise on her chin. She then sexually assaulted Maire Rankin, 81, before fleeing from the house next door to her own home in Newry, Co Down.