Teenagers in court following death of pensioner

Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with robbery and burglary following the death of an 82-year-old woman.

The boys, aged 15 and 16, had previously been arrested on suspicion of murdering Joy Middleditch in Pakefield, near Lowestoft, Suffolk, in March last year.

She died in hospital two days after being found lying on the floor of her bungalow in Grayson Avenue by concerned family members.

At Norwich Magistrates' Court, sitting as a youth court, the boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were bailed until 1 July when the case will be discussed further.

The 16-year-old boy, who was supported by his mother and his grandfather, indicated pleas of not guilty to robbery and burglary.

The 15-year-old boy, who attended court with a social worker, indicated a plea of not guilty to robbery, and one of guilty to burglary.

The charges, read to the court by the legal adviser, allege that the boys robbed Ms Middleditch of a handbag of unknown value on 25 March last year, and on the same day entered an address in Grayson Avenue with intent to steal.

Ms Middleditch had told her relatives, and later police officers, she had heard a noise at the door before two masked men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground.

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