Two teenage boys who robbed Suffolk pensioner sentenced
Mrs Middleditch, who lived in Pakefield, Suffolk, was found lying on the floor of her bungalow in Grayson Avenue on March 25th 2023
Last updated 9th May 2025
Two teenage boys who robbed a woman in Suffolk have been given an immediate two-year detention order in a young offender institution.
Joy Middleditch was found lying unconscious on the floor of her Pakefield bungalow on March 25th 2023. She passed away two days later.
The pair, now aged 17 and 16, had initially been arrested on suspicion of the murder of 82-year-old Joy Middleditch in March 2023.
Mrs Middleditch, who lived in Pakefield, Suffolk, was found lying on the floor of her end-of-terrace bungalow in Grayson Avenue by concerned family members on March 25.
Officers were called just after 1.50pm to reports that she had been found following a suspected robbery, the incident having happened during the early hours that day.
She died in hospital in the early hours of March 27th.
Following the incident, it was found that a handbag containing a purse from within the property had been taken.
The two boys, who cannot be named for legal reason, were charged in April last year with robbery and burglary with intent to steal.
Suffolk Police said both boys were found guilty of both charges on Friday following a three-day hearing at Great Yarmouth Youth Court.
"She was a vulnerable, elderly woman"
Detective constable Debra Bates said afterwards: "This must have been a very traumatic incident for Mrs Middleditch.
"She was a vulnerable, elderly woman who was robbed of her possessions in the middle of the night by these two individuals, for relatively little financial gain.
“I would again like to thank Joy’s family who have been extremely supportive of Suffolk Constabulary and patient throughout this investigation.
“This has been an extremely difficult time for them and hopefully this sentence can bring them some closure.”
The family of Mrs Middleditch said, in a statement issued by Police after the guilty verdict, that she was "worth more than to be a victim of cruel thoughtless criminals".
"Joy was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister to several siblings, an aunt and a close friend to many," they said.