RELATIVES today celebrated "justice" at last for Sheffield pensioner Lily Finlay - three years after she died following a mugging by two "despicable" teenagers.
Mrs Finlay, aged 87, spoke to police about her ordeal before she died, giving them a statement from her hospital bed in which she spoke of her disgust at the attack.
She said: "I am a vulnerable elderly woman. I am distraught that this has happened to me. The people responsible are despicable.
"I cannot believe I was attacked.
"I will be in hospital for weeks which will cause severe disruption to my life."
But 10 weeks later Mrs Finlay was dead after developing a chest infection from which she never recovered.
Yesterday former lovers Joshua Gebbie, 17, and Fay Robinson, 18, were both jailed over her death after pleading guilty to robbery and manslaughter.
They were both just 14 at the time of the mugging in October 2006 - and one month afterwards went on to conceive a baby, now a two-year-old girl.
Gebbie, of Beever Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, got a four-year detention and training order after admitted responsibility for grabbing Mrs Finlay's bag and knocking her to the ground and Robinson, of Atlantic Road, Lowedges, Sheffield, got 12 months after admitting she knew about the plan to rob and was there when it happened.
It took three years for the case to reach court because the Crown Prosecution Service never believed there was enough evidence against the teens.
But police continued their enquiries and the CPS eventually agreed the teenagers should be charged.
Mrs Finlay's niece Susan Hann, 64, of Woodseats, said: "We got justice at last - it was a long time coming but we never gave up hope.
"I don't think the actual punishments fit the crime, but at least it is something and it gives us some closure.
"I know they were only 14 at the time but 14-year-olds should know the difference between right and wrong."
Ms Sarah Wright, prosecuting, told Sheffield Crown Court that when police found Mrs Finlay's bag after the mugging the £80 she had been carrying had gone.
"The youths pushed between the two ladies and as they did so it appears Joshua Gebbie grabbed Mrs Finlay's bag, yanking it off her shoulder. She fell banging her head on the wall as she fell," she added.
Amanda Denton, defending Gebbie, who has 25 convictions for offences including theft, burglary and assault, said he had changed over the past three years and felt genuine remorse for his actions.
At the time of the offence he was living in care, missing school and spent most of his time wandering the streets of Sheffield.
She said although he committed the robbery he had been subject to "peer pressure".
Judith Seaborne, for Robinson, told the court it was her confession during the inquest which proved a turning point in the police investigation.
She too used to spend "days on end hanging around the streets and parks of Sheffield" because of problems at home.
Mr Justice Openshaw said: "The victim, Mrs Lily Finlay, was aged 87, she walked with crutches which anyone could have seen. Despite what the defendant say it's obvious she was targeted because she was vulnerable on account of her age and frailty.
"Society expects that courts to offer protection from such offending."
He said the case should serve as a deterrent to other youngsters.
"If they commit serious offences there are likely to be serious consequences," he added.
The Star successfully applied for reporting restrictions in the case to be lifted to allow Gebbie to be identified, who was eligible for anonymity because he is under 18.
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