Moment woman kills pensioner with dementia by shoving her to the ground

This is the moment a young woman shoved a pensioner with dementia to the floor causing injuries that later killed her.

Courtney Richman, 26, had become impatient with Myra Coutinho-Lopez, 82, as the pensioner tried to withdraw money from a Lloyds Bank branch, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

A long queue had formed and Richman called out ‘Hurry up, people don’t have all day’.

Another customer offered to help Mrs Coutinho-Lopez, who was struggling to understand her bank statements, and as she walked away Richman started applauding.

This prompted Mrs Coutinho-Lopez to say: ‘Don’t speak to me like that, you are very rude. I bet your boyfriend has left you.’

She then swung her handbag at Richman, who responded by pushing her hard with both hands, sending the pensioner crashing to the floor.

Mrs Coutinho-Lopez suffered fractures to her left upper arm and thigh, causing fatty substances to be released into her body that damaged her lungs and brain.

Myra Coutinho-Lopez, pictured, died after being shoved by Courtney Richman (Picture: Hertfordshire Constabulary/SWNS)

The mum-of-four died in hospital ten days after the incident, which happened on December 6, 2021.

Richman, of Welwyn Garden City, appeared at Luton Crown Court today after she had been found guilty of manslaughter earlier this year.

She was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 21 months.

She was also given a rehabilitation requirement lasting between 15 to 25 days and was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Mrs Coutinho-Lopez, also from Welwyn Garden City, was described by her family as a ‘truly unique person’ who had a ‘strong commitment to supporting others whenever and wherever possible’.

Courtney Richman outside court

Richman, who was arrested the day after she pushed the pensioner, has previously said she acted instinctively when she was ‘whacked’ with the handbag.

The mother-of-two said: ‘I feel terrible, I think about it every day since it has happened.’

She said it had not been obvious to her the victim had cognitive difficulties.

After sentencing, Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, head of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: ‘This has been a harrowing ordeal for Myra’s family and our thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a difficult time.”

CCTV showing Courtney as she pushes Mrs Coutinho-Lopez (Picture: Hertfordshire Constabulary/SWNS)

Myra’s daughter, Michelle Lopez, paid tribute to her mother. She said: ‘We’ve been forced to navigate the difficulties and trials of life without my beloved mother for over two years.

‘Her life was taken away from her on 16 December 2021, and we’ve been left trapped in an emotional prison with scars too deep to be mended ever since.

‘She’s left an unspeakable void to all who knew her including her beloved children, extended family and lifelong friends worldwide.

Mrs Coutinho-Lopez was described as a ‘truly unique person’ (Picture: Hertfordshire Police/SWNS)

‘The yearning for my mother’s presence is a constant ache in my heart, particularly as I observe other daughters engaging in mundane activities with their mothers, such as grocery shopping or sharing a coffee or meal together. These memorable moments now evoke a feeling of emptiness.

‘Those who knew her miss her deeply and will continue to cherish her memory and honour her legacy of kindness, fortitude and generosity. She was a shining light on how to survive and thrive in life despite adversities and setbacks.

‘After enduring years of waiting, I’m thankful to the jury for reaching a guilty verdict, and for the work of Hertfordshire Constabulary officers and the Crown Prosecution Service.’

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