A BURGLAR broke into an 85-year-old's home and murdered her before setting fire to her bungalow to destroy the evidence, a court heard today.

Steven Hodgson, 33, fled the scene in a taxi he had called from victim Patricia Thompson's home in Hartburn, near Stockton, a jury was told.

He denies murder and burglary and his trial at Teesside Crown Court is expected to last two weeks.

Graham Reeds QC, prosecuting, said: "This defendant murdered Mrs Thompson in the course of burgling her home on Saturday night, September 5.

"He then set fire to her house in an attempt to destroy the evidence of what he had done."

Mrs Thompson lived alone in a street of 10 bungalows run by a trust for over-65s.

The court heard that the church-going grandmother was happy there, having moved in nine years earlier because her old house was too large.

Mr Reeds said: "Her family and her neighbours reported about her that she was fully independent, she was in good health, and was mentally as bright as a button."

The prosecution will continue its opening this afternoon.