Woman guilty of killing pensioner in bank push in Welwyn Garden City

Myra Coutinho-Lopez died 10 days after an incident that took place at a bank in Welwyn Garden City

A 26-year-old woman who pushed over an elderly lady with Alzheimer's disease has been convicted of manslaughter.

Courtney Richman pushed Myra Coutinho-Lopez, 82, to the floor of Lloyds Bank in Welwyn Garden City, after the pensioner had hit her with her handbag.

She died on 16 December 2021, 10 days after the push, the court heard.

Mrs Coutinho-Lopez's family said her death had left a "tremendous void to all who knew her".

Prosecutor Martin Mulgrew told Luton Crown Court that Richman had shown "a catastrophic loss of temper".

He said: "The defendant angrily pushed Mrs Coutinho-Lopez forcefully to the floor of the bank. She struck the floor with some force."

The victim suffered fractures of her left upper arm and thigh bone and bruising to her left upper arm, wrist, the tops of her fingers, around her rib cage and flank.

Mr Mulgrew said: "The red mist descended on this defendant and she reacted in a wholly inappropriate fashion to this vulnerable old lady."

Courtney Richman denied swearing or shouting at the pensioner

The court heard that Richman had become angry and agitated as a queue developed while the pensioner engaged with a cashier.

"Mrs Coutinho-Lopez became worried and asked the cashier to show her the balance. She was told she had withdrawn money the previous Friday. She became more confused and said she hadn't," said the prosecutor.

It was alleged Richman said: "Hurry up - people don't have all day" and applauded sarcastically when another customer helped Mrs Coutinho-Lopez away from the cashier.

When Mrs Coutinho-Lopez passed Richman, she said: "Don't speak to me like that - you are very rude."

The jury saw CCTV footage that showed that the pensioner had swung her handbag and struck Richman, who then pushed Mrs Coutinho-Lopez.

The cashier, Susan Hanover, said there were "gasps" from the other customers when Mrs Coutinho-Lopez ended up on the floor.

The prosecution told Luton Crown Court that "the red mist descended" on Ms Richman

Richman of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, denied manslaughter but was convicted.

She told the jury when the elderly woman "whacked" her on the back with her handbag, she acted instinctively. "I wasn't thinking anything. I just reacted. I pushed her away from me," she said.

She described the amount of force she used as reasonable and said she told the 82-year-old: "I am not your punchbag."

The next day she returned to the bank to carry out the transaction she was unable to complete before, but was escorted into a small room by a plain-clothed police officer.

Asked about the death of Mrs Coutinho-Lopez, she added: "I feel terrible, I think about it every day since it has happened and I feel very sorry that she is no longer here."

Judge Michael Simon adjourned sentence until 19 April, but he said he would not be sending her to immediate custody.

In a tribute, the victim's family described Mrs Coutinho-Lopez as a "fashionably dressed, attractive" woman who was "extremely accomplished, running multiple businesses" and showed "abundant kindness, generosity and hospitality".

"As a Jehovah's Witness, Myra dedicated much of her life to helping others realise the joy and peace that she had experienced from her faith. She was a talented musician and often entertained others," they said.

They added that her death "has left behind a tremendous void to all who knew her including her beloved children, extended family and lifelong friends worldwide, who miss her deeply and will continue to cherish her memory and honour her legacy of kindness, fortitude and generosity."