A man who pleaded guilty to stabbing an 86-year-old Queens woman during a home invasion was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Andre Mathis also stole cash, jewelry, and a Cadillac from Vivian Squires, who attempted to fight back but ultimately needed 18 stitches to close one wound and 35 staples to close another; he allegedly also tried to smother her with a pillow Last year, Squires said, "We tussled and tussled and landed on the floor and I was still fighting him, trying to remember all the things I'd seen in the movies, and grabbing him. Maybe my prison experience came back. I spent 21 years as a correction officer. If I had a gun, he'd be gone." more ›

In January, an 86-year-old woman was attacked when a man who broke into her Springfield Gardens home put a pillow over Vivian Squires' head as he slashed her. The perp also stole her jewelry, cash and car. Yesterday, the police announced they made an arrest—the Daily News reports that the suspect is "career hoodlum Andre Mathis." Squires, a retired corrections officer who required 35 staples in her back and 18 stitches for her injuries, told the News, "I am glad they finally caught him - he needs help." She also added she wants to prevent others from falling into a life of crime, "We are going to organize the Gritty Granny Gang. I am going to be a gang leader. My gang is here to help. Not hurt." more ›

Vivian Squires, the 86-year-old Queens resident who was repeatedly slashed during a home invasion robbery on Sunday morning, spoke to reporters yesterday. And she seems like an amazing, tough lady: "We tussled and tussled and landed on the floor and I was still fighting him, trying to remember all the things I'd seen in the movies, and grabbing him. Maybe my prison experience came back. I spent 21 years as a correction officer. If I had a gun, he'd be gone." Her attacker initially tried to smother her with a pillow, but then resorted to using a knife when she fought back. Squires explained she fought back because it wasn't her time to die, "When you get old you have a tendency to want to sit in the chair and rock and just feel old, and I don't have time for that." She'd also like to meet her attacker—who stole her cash, jewelry and car— and ask him why he did this, but, at any rate, Squires is praying for him. more ›