An Epsom man convicted of killing an 84-year-old during a robbery was sentenced to over 20 years in jail on Friday (August 9).

Joyce Burgess of Woking died after struggling to stop Johnny Brazil stealing her handbag during the heatwave in July last year.

During the trial the court heard that the pensioner was left covered in blood, severely bruised and with wide tears in her skin after the confrontation.

She died in hospital three days later from a heart attack triggered by the physical and emotional trauma, prosecutor Hugh Forgan said.

Speaking outside Guildford Crown Court on Friday, Ms Burgess's son Ian described her as a "very kind, gentle" mother, who would "do anything for anybody" and had loved travelling the world.

"The violent attack which resulted in her death has rocked our whole family.

"I hope that (Mr Brazil) rots in hell for what he's done to my mother.

"I am so relieved with the judge's decision," Mr Burgess said.

The court was told that Mr Brazil was a "serial burglar" who targeted Surrey homes that were "almost always...homes of old women living alone."

He was arrested in Leeds after a manhunt on July 31.

Mr Brazil told Judge Jonathan Black to "f*** your mum's c***" and stormed from the dock as he was given a custodial sentence of 20 years and three months with an extended licence period of three years.

The Epsom man had previously pleaded guilty to robbing and killing Ms Burgess.

Defending, Paul Mendelle QC said Mr Brazil's mother had taken her own life when he was 10 years old and that he was "a deeply damaged individual who has been damaged by his traumatic early life".

Mr Brazil, who gave his address as Kingston Road, Epsom, has 46 previous convictions for 79 offences including battery, burglary and sexual offences, the court was told.