Drunk jailed for landlord killing

An alcoholic who strangled a landlady days after she had taken him into her home out of pity has been jailed.

Christopher Byrne, 72, was told by an Old Bailey judge he still posed a danger and was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

He attacked grandmother Khalifa Ali, 68, in her home in Leytonstone, east London, in March, last year.

Byrne pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to his alcoholism and must serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years.

"Generous woman"

The court was told widow Mrs Ali had taken him in on a temporary basis as a favour to a friend - but she was killed nine days later.

"She spent her life praying for peace in the world"
Sherifa Brown, daughter

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker, told Bryne: "You have taken away the life of a generous, happy and respected woman who will be missed."

The court heard that Bryne had been in and out of jail most of his life. He had taken two of Mrs Ali's rings from her fingers.

After her worried family went to the house, they found her body on a landing.

Bryne was next to her having taken sleeping pills in a suicide attempt after realising he had killed her.

Mrs Ali's daughter Sherifa Brown told the judge that her mother had been a deeply religious woman who felt compassion for others.

Mrs Brown said: "She spent her life praying for peace in the world."

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