Violent home invasion in Schleußig: Robber sent to prison

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In her own flat, he and an accomplice robbed a woman of 30,000 euros, which she had been keeping as a financial safety net for her retirement: the Leipzig Regional Court has now sentenced the perpetrator to a prison term. During the trial, 39-year-old Jan S. pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated robbery. His victim continues to suffer to this day as a result of the brutal attack.

What had been a cosy evening with her son and his wife turned into a nightmare for Elvira N.*: in her own flat, the 72-year-old was attacked, tied up and robbed by a pair of criminals. The Leipzig Regional Court has now convicted one of the perpetrators: earlier this week, the 8th Criminal Division sentenced 39-year-old Jan S. to three years and ten months in prison for aggravated robbery, grievous bodily harm and unlawful detention.

30,000 euros hidden behind a kitchen skirting board were gone

It was late in the evening of 4 February 2025, around 9.30 pm, when the doorbell rang at Elvira N.’s flat on Holbeinstraße. Assuming it was her son – whom she had seen off shortly before, along with his partner, after a pleasant dinner – the pensioner, still in her pyjamas, unsuspectingly opened the flat door. Instead, however, she was confronted by a man and a woman she did not know at all. Elvira N. was immediately sprayed in the face with pepper spray, pushed to the floor, dragged into the flat, tied up and gagged.

In the end, the pair of robbers made off with 30,000 euros in cash, which had been hidden behind a skirting board in the victim’s kitchen. After the attackers had fled, Elvira N. managed to free herself and alert a neighbour. She suffered minor injuries and was in a state of shock.

Victim rejects apology in the courtroom

Jan S., who had no previous convictions, had immediately confessed during the trial and also named his alleged accomplice, whose identity had not been known until then. The 39-year-old cited financial pressure due to debts as his motive. He claimed his accomplice had learnt from a tradesperson that a large sum of cash was to be found at the victim’s home. He said he had received half the money and expressed regret for his actions.

However, his attempt to apologise – which he addressed to Elvira N. via his defence lawyer in the courtroom – fell on deaf ears: “I cannot accept that apology; it was simply too much,” said the pensioner, who appeared as a joint plaintiff during the trial. Not only had she been left out of pocket by the loss of 30,000 euros, but she was also still struggling with mental health issues to this day, becoming frightened at the slightest noise in her flat.

Full confession leads to a reduced sentence

The confession, which spared the traumatised victim a lengthy testimony in court, was nevertheless taken into account as a mitigating factor in Jan S.’s sentencing. At three years and ten months, the court’s sentence remained just below the four years’ imprisonment sought by the prosecution. According to the court, the defence had sought a prison sentence of between three and a half and a maximum of three years and ten months.

The judgement is not yet final.

* Name changed.