A St Louis man who shoved a woman in her sixties down some basement stairs and then hit her on the head several times with a hammer is now scheduled to be executed.

The Missouri State Supreme Court on Wednesday announced an execution warrant scheduling Paul Goodwin’s execution December 10.

Police say Goodwin was living in a boarding house next to the victim, Joan Crotts. Investigators say the pair frequently argued.

Mr Goodwin apparently blamed Mrs Crotts for his eviction from the boarding house.

On March 1, 1998, authorities say Mr Goodwin entered her home through an unlocked back door. He confronted Mrs Crotts with a hammer. She asked him if he wanted money or jewelry, to which he said “no.” Later he tried to force her to perform oral sex.

A short time later he shoved her down some basement stairs, and then beat her on the back of the head several times with the hammer.