THE trial of a man accused of robbing an elderly woman in her own home has been delayed due to issues over her ability to give evidence.

Paul Dennis Bradshaw is alleged to have been one of two men who called at the back door of her terraced home in Horden, at 7pm on Wednesday September 23, last year.

The caller and an accomplice are said to have grabbed and pushed the 80-year-old, as they searched the house.

They eventually left with her purse from her handbag.

The 48-year-old defendant, of Elgin Road, Hartlepool, denied a charge of robbery at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, in March.

A trial was fixed to start this week, and the defendant was remanded in custody.

But when the case came back to court last week, the prosecution asked for the trial to be taken out of the list as the victim was considered unfit to give evidence.

Although it was left in the court list, the victim’s potential inability to give evidence was again brought up by the prosecution prior to the start of the trial.

Judge Ray Singh agreed to adjourn the trial to allow for a psychiatrist to examine the key witness as to her capacity to give evidence at the trial.

He adjourned the case for trial on December 1, with the defendant remanded to remain in custody until a further pre-trial hearing on October 11.

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