60 victims of the killer who began life of crime when he was 12 Crack addict murdered spinster, 88

Francis Casey, now 18, was also given eight life sentences for a

string of violent robberies against elderly people.

Ordering Casey to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure for killing

Miss Lillian Notley, Mr Justice Hidden said at the Old Bailey that Casey

was ''a very dangerous and evil young man''.

The judge added: ''The horrors you inflicted on your victims were

appalling and beggared description.

''Your personality combines enjoyment of violence with the sexual

abuse of elderly women and a compulsive greed for money to feed your

addiction,'' said the judge.

Casey had gone on a 20-day spree of violence, robbery, and sex attacks

on his elderly victims at the end of last year and was high on crack

cocaine when the offences were committed, the court was told.

However, his career of crime had started when he was 12 and he had

robbed and attacked at least 60 victims, inflicting ''gratuitous''

violence in the latter cases.

Casey smirked as he walked into the dock to answer the latest

catalogue of offences, which included the killing of Miss Notley and the

beating of her 84-year-old sister, Pheobe.

However, a psychiatrist called by the defence said the grin was ''a

constant nervous smile which is a cover for his shame''.

A jury had found him guilty of Miss Notley's murder and of beating her

sister, who spent two weeks in hospital after suffering bruising and

swelling to the face.

Casey had admitted attacking both women but had denied murder.

The court heard that he stamped on Lillian Notley's face, leaving the

imprint of his plimsoll. She had 13 broken ribs.

Casey admitted robberies and assaults on seven other pensioners and a

burglary on an eighth.

Earlier on the day he murdered Miss Notley, Casey was arrested in

another pensioner's home. He claimed he was only 13, gave a false name,

and was bailed into the care of two women social workers, from whom he

escaped by jumping from a car.

He went on to commit a violent robbery on an elderly man -- still

wearing the boiler suit and plimsolls the police had issued him.

When he broke into the Notleys' home in Essex Road, Islington, London,

he was still wearing the plimsolls.

He originally faced charges alleging a total of 20 victims in the

series of raids last November. However, victims had since died or were

too frail to give evidence, so the prosecution offered no evidence ''in

these exceptional circumstances''.

Casey began his crime spree within a week of being released from a

three-month sentence for burglaries.

Casey, of no fixed address, comes from a family of Irish travellers.

He came to Britain in 1982 and came to attention of social services

from then on. His father had failed in his role and his mother died when

he was 10.

His grandmother, who helped look after him, died the following year.

He began sleeping rough, became a solvent abuser, and graduated to crack

cocaine.

Dr Henry Kennedy, a psychiatrist, said Casey now felt angry and

disgusted with himself.

Detective Sergeant Keith Manktelow, who investigated the case, said

later that Casey had ruined numerous lives.

''The survivors are now frightened to open their doors. They barricade

themselves in their homes and are afraid to go to bed,'' he added.

Casey's youngest victim was 62 and the oldest 91. Some were beaten,

others indecently assaulted. All were terrified and four have since

died.