Shoplifter killed woman, 68, by shoving her to the ground as he fled Sports Direct staff with stolen socks

A SHOPLIFTER killed a woman by shoving her to the ground as he fled a Sports Direct with stolen socks.

Joseph Smith had swiped three packets of trainer socks, worth a total of £66, from the store in Sunderland when staff gave chase.

The 37-year-old ran around a corner and slammed straight into Christine Vasey, 68, as she walked to the Stadium of Light with her husband Sidney.

Smith shoved the Sunderland fan out of the way, which caused her to fly backwards and hit her head on the hard pavement.