A teenager was today due in court charged with the murder of a 77-year-old widow who died after she was allegedly mugged for a £2 fish supper.

Trevor Cook, 19, of the YMCA, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, was charged with the murder and robbery of partially-sighted Marie Watson.

The great-grandmother died in hospital in April, a week after she was allegedly attacked on her way home from her local chip shop in the Heaton area of the city.

Cook was appearing before a judge at Newcastle Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing.