Shoplifter killed woman, 68, by shoving her to the ground as he fled Sports Direct staff with stolen socks
A SHOPLIFTER killed a woman by shoving her to the ground as he fled a Sports Direct with stolen socks.
Joseph Smith had swiped three packets of trainer socks, worth a total of £66, from the store in Sunderland when staff gave chase.
The 37-year-old ran around a corner and slammed straight into Christine Vasey, 68, as she walked to the Stadium of Light with her husband Sidney.
Smith shoved the Sunderland fan out of the way, which caused her to fly backwards and hit her head on the hard pavement.
Tragically, Christine suffered a skull fracture and brain injuries in the horror and died in hospital six days later.
Smith has now been jailed for six years with a four-year extended licence period after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he had gone into the shop just after 11.30am and “brazenly” picked up the three packets of socks before fleeing.
This triggered a security alarm – causing the store manager and assistant manager to chase after him on the high street.
Prosecutor Emma Dowling told the court: “CCTV shows the defendant, still effectively at full speed, running around a corner.
“Directly in front of him are Mr and Mrs Vasey.
“Rather than taking evasive action or trying at least to stop, the defendant puts his hands up, keen to get away with the socks and pushed her deliberately out of his path.”
Christine was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital before being transferred to the RVI in Newcastle.
Tragically she couldn’t be saved and died from her injuries on November 1.
The court heard Christine and her husband were childhood sweethearts and “soulmates”.
Sidney has since been diagnosed with PTSD, suffers flashbacks and “torturous” dreams when he is able to sleep for brief periods.
The couple had been due to travel on first class tickets to Australia to celebrate Christine approaching retirement.
Her heartbroken family said: “Christine’s death has shocked and saddened all of us.
“We’ll remember her as the intelligent and vibrant professional woman that she was.
“She lived life to the full, balancing her zeal for her family, her business, her thrill for travelling and her love of Sunderland AFC.
“We’ll now take solace at the custodial sentence served and we hope the offender takes time to reflect upon the horror that his reckless actions brought on us.”
Smith, who has convictions for 15 offences including an attack on a police officer, also admitted theft, common assault and possessing a small amount of cannabis.
The court heard he has a long history of mental heath problems and schizophrenia, along with drug and alcohol issues.
Detective Inspector Steven Brown of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation team added: “This is a tragic case, and our thoughts remain with Christine’s family who are having to mourn the unexpected loss of their loved one.
“I know that today’s result is no compensation for the loss of Christine’s life, but I do hope it brings some comfort to her family and loved ones.
“The outcome of this crime shows why we take every offence seriously.
“There’s no place in our communities for any type of criminality and we will continue to do all we can to deal robustly with those who choose a life of crime.”