Teenager who murdered two defenceless elderly women to continue drinking binge must serve 24 years

A teenager who murdered two elderly women as he searched their care home for cash so he could carry on drinking, has been jailed for life.

Nathan Mann, who was 19 at the time of the frenzied attack, decided to silence the women when he was discovered in their bedroom late at night, in case they identified him.

He beat one so badly that she had multiple fractures to her face and choked to death on blood.

He smothered the other with her bedding.

Months before the attack, Mann, who did not have a job, had broken into the Hayes Park nursing home in Leicester, and stolen money.

He decided to return there after a day's drinking in November, to find more money to buy alcohol.

CCTV footage of Mann breaking in through an unlocked window and sneaking into the women's room at about 11.30pm, was shown to Nottingham Crown Court.

Nine minutes later he was pictured climbing out and wiping away his fingerprints before fleeing.

The scene he left was so shocking that Mr Justice McCombe viewed police film in private.

Mann, of Crown Hills, Leicester, later went to a friend's house and told her: 'Don't touch me. I'm the lowest of the low. I've killed someone who couldn't defend themselves.'

He eventually gave himself up to police and admitted murdering Rashmi Badiani, 56, and Radhaben Chauhan,72.

Yesterday, Mann, now 20, was given two life sentences. He was told he must serve at least 24 years before he could apply for parole.

The judge said: 'A double murder is particularly serious and is all the more so when perpetrated on defenceless and incapacitated ladies in the middle of the night in what was in effect their home.

'I must add to that the gruesome injuries inflicted going far and away beyond anything required to make your escape when detected as an intruder.

'On any footing it was a frenzied attack on two victims who could hardly have been more vulnerable.'

Rashmi Badiani, left, and Radhaben Chauhan were unable to defend themselves

Prosecutor Timothy Spencer, QC, said neither victim, both of whom needed near-constant care, were able to defend themselves.

Mrs Chauhan had dementia and was so crippled by strokes that she could only move her left hand.

Mrs Badiani also a stroke victim, had epilepsy and diabetes, had trouble speaking and could not walk without help.

However, a broken alarm cord suggested she tried to summon help before being beaten so ferociously that she choked on blood, Mr Spencer said.

Mann, who was on bail for assault at the time, then smothered Mrs Chauhan, who woke up as her friend was being attacked.

Defending, Paul Mann, QC, told the court: 'He went to the home that night not to target old ladies, but to steal from the staff room.

'When they woke up he panicked. He feels so appalled and ashamed.'