Thornton Heath man jailed after killing ‘much-loved’ nurse

29-year-old Hugo Da Silva Pires, of Fernham Road in Thornton Heath, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday (November 25) to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter, burglary and fraud.

He pleaded guilty at the same court earlier this year on February 13.

The court heard how Da Silva Pires burgled the Croydon home of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah on June 20, 2023.

(Image: Metropolitan Police)He knew she lived alone as he had recently fitted a kitchen for her and even attended the address earlier that day to help Nelly register some kitchen appliances.

During the burglary, he violently attacked Nelly in a confrontation, which resulted in her falling down the stairs and subsequently dying.

Da Silva Pires then went on to use Nelly’s bank card that he had stolen to buy smartphones, children’s bedding and power tools.

Detectives were able to quickly identify Da Silva Pires after CCTV caught him using Nelly's bank card.

His DNA was also found under her fingernails as she tried to fight back.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “The circumstances of Nelly’s death are truly devastating.

“Nelly was well loved and highly respected in her community, she was a retired nurse and a treasurer for Tooting Methodist Church.

“She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, leader and friend to many, and she is dearly missed by all who knew her.

"Da Silva Pires crept into Nelly’s home at night, whilst he knew she was upstairs and awake.

He intended to steal from her at any cost.

“Nelly was an elderly woman of small stature, who had only ever shown him kindness and trust.

“Instead of fleeing when he was discovered by Nelly, he violently confronted her which resulted in her falling down the stairs and sadly dying.

“Da Silva Pires didn’t try to help Nelly, he instead walked over her lifeless body on the stairs and left the house with her handbag.

"Da Silva Pires is an abhorrent man, whose greed and desire to escape responsibility for his actions, resulted in him killing Nelly."

In a statement by Nelly’s family, they said: “The past 17 months have been an unimaginable ordeal for us.

“We have endured grief, heartbreak, and the long process of seeking justice.

“We want to thank the police (in particular our Family Liaison Officer and case officer) and everyone who worked so hard to ensure that Nelly's voice was heard.

“No punishment can ever bring our mother, grandmother, sister, friend and mentor Nelly back, or fill the void her absence has left in our lives.

“We will forever cherish our memories with the matriarch of our family and community, whose life was taken far too soon.

“Nelly found joy in serving and helping those around her.

"A church leader with a 30-plus year nursing career, she cherished her life, faith, family, and friends.

“Nelly brought compassion and care to everyone she came across in her life and was looking forward to celebrating her 77th birthday with more energy and vivacity than ever.

“Hugo Da Silva Pires is a heartless individual.

“He deliberately preyed on an elderly woman who trusted him in her home as a tradesman.

“The manslaughter conviction can never quantify the severity of this crime, and the lasting impact that Da Silva Pires' callous motivations will have on the many, many people who loved Nelly.

“As we move forward, we ask for privacy as we can finally grieve and try to rebuild our lives.

“We hope that this sentencing serves as a message that such senseless violence and greed has no place in our society.”

Da Silva Pires tried to cover his tracks by cutting the wires to the CCTV system installed at the address before he entered so he would not be captured on the footage.

He entered a shipping address in the Azores for the items he bought on Nelly’s bank card – although he put an address of Thornton Heath for an iPhone he attempted to buy.

He eventually discarded the bank cards in Clapham Junction station.

He also got rid of his mobile phone, which his girlfriend Catiana Feliciano, helped him to do.

(Image: Metropolitan Police) The investigation team quickly identified Da Silva Pires and his girlfriend and tracked them to Stanstead Airport, arresting them before they could flee the country.

At the time of his arrest, Da Silva Pires had scratches to his face and neck/

Da Silva Pires was initially identified after images were obtained of people using Nelly’s bank card.

This and information regarding a recent kitchen renovation helped officers identify Da Silva Pires and then Feliciano.

Da Silva Pires was convicted and sentenced as above.

His 33-year-old girlfriend, also of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to fraud and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in January 2024.