A DRUG crazed burglar killed a defenceless 87-year-old widow just days after a court allowed him back on the streets.
Peter Harris killed defenceless grandmother Elsie Mowbray [SWNS]Career criminal Peter Harris, 33, had just been freed on bail after a string of prison stretches - yet just 15 days later was cruising the streets in a drink and drug fuelled haze looking for homes to loot.
He then fled empty handed.
Mrs Mowbray, from York, whose husband had died in 1991 and who was described by her family as a ''gentle old lady who led a blameless life'', was rushed to hospital but was discharged the same day because she didn't display any symptoms of injury.
But the following morning she was found her collapsed on her kitchen floor by her son as he delivered her daily newspaper - having apparently laid there all night.
She was taken back to hospital with internal head bleeding but died six days later.
Police discovered Harris carried out another raid only an hour after the New Years Day attack on Mrs Mowbray.
He had been released from the latest of several prison stretches for burglary on November 18, and weeks later was given bail by magistrates for a fresh alleged offence of shoplifting - just 15 days before the twin raids.
Appearing before Leeds Crown Court Harris was jailed for 12 years after he admitted manslaughter, burglary and robbery after what a judge described as a "brutal, violent and ugly nightmare" for the victim.
Last night York MP Hugh Bailey, said: "I think the justice system has badly let this family down.
"The prisons and probation service must do more to reform criminals and to keep tabs on dangerous offenders when they are released.
"I have written to the Justice Secretary to ask him to look at this and learn lessons from this horrific case to do more to protect the public in the future.
"It is inevitable that the family and friends of Mrs Mowbray will want answers.
"It is almost impossible to put yourself in their shoes, but I understand they will be very angry."
Mrs Mowbray's family had hoped her death when it came would be peaceful, not the brutal, violent ugly nightmare it turned out to be
York City Council leader James Alexander, who represents the ward that Elsie lived, added: "I am very concerned to learn that this man had only just been released for a prison sentence before he committed this callous crime and I am even more surprised to hear he was on bail.
"I will call for a meeting with the police and crime commissioner at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss what happened and what can be done in the future to ensure that this sort of incident can never happen again.
"This is a terrible case and one that has shocked the whole community."
The court heard how the burglar had been scouring vulnerable homes in York and was already drunk and high on cocaine when he set out at 9am from a friend's house where he had seen in the New Year.
CCTV recorded him cycling around the more central parts of York and drinking as he looked for homes to burgle.
By the time he reached Mrs Mowbray's home at about 11am he had covered his face with a scarf.
The victim's son Richard was walking to the local newsagents to buy her a newspaper when he saw Harris turning slow circles in the road on his bike.
As he went inside the shop, Harris then knocked on Mrs Mowbray's door and when she answered, he falsely claimed to be looking for a rabbit her garden.
He then forced his way into the house before ransacking the house looking for valuables. He was still there when Richard returned but despite brave efforts he was unable to stop the killer from pushing his mother out of the way as he fled on his bike
At 5pm on New Year's Day police raided Harris's home in York where they found him hiding in the base of a divan bed.
He later claimed his crimes were driven by his ''long term deep addiction to drugs and alcohol'' and blamed all his troubles on a ''difficult upbringing.''
Passing sentence the judge Mr Justice Keith Lindblom said: "Mrs Mowbray's family had hoped her death when it came would be peaceful, not the brutal, violent ugly nightmare it turned out to be.
"If you had not chosen to burgle her home you would not have been there.
"If you had not been there and tried to escape she would not have sustained a serious injury to her head which proved to be fatal.''
Det Supt Heather Pearson, Head of North Yorkshire Police's protecting vulnerable persons unit, said: "Peter Harris knew his victim was an elderly, defenceless woman when she answered the door to him.
"He showed no regard for her when he entered her property and has subsequently shown no remorse.
"As a result of his actions, an otherwise fit and healthy lady has had her life cut short and a family has lost a loved one in tragic circumstances."
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