Trial in Innsbruck

Home invasion at step-grandma’s house: trio sent to prison

Reprehensible: three men with a criminal record, the victim was 82.(Bild: Markus Stegmayr, Krone KREATIV)

In August 2023, two men broke into the home of a single elderly lady (82) in Tyrol, pushed her and demanded money and jewelry. A third acted as a lookout - he is even related to the victim. Now the court has handed down prison sentences.

The second-accused step-grandson (25) had told his accomplices that there was "something to get" from the old lady. He was then on guard duty when his colleagues approached the house in Gnadenwald near Hall in August wearing balaclavas. They rang the doorbell to "check" that the victim was absent. But she opened the door and was pushed. "We didn't touch her", the defendants claimed. Which is in stark contrast to the victim's statement.

Only 300 euros taken
The loot was small: 300 euros, a cell phone and a soft air pistol. The resolute 82-year-old had threatened the fleeing robbers with a "slap on the wrist".

The judge saw a "particularly reprehensible act". Non-final sentences: Eight years in prison for the first defendant with a criminal record, three years each for the accomplice and the step-grandson.