Joy Middleditch, 82, was discovered on the floor of her bungalow in Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Lowestoft by concerned family members some 12 hours after she was burgled and robbed.

She died two days later in the hospital on March 27, 2023, and her subsequent death rocked the community.

A trial held at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court heard that the "terrified" Ms Middleditch was "calling for her mother" and yelling for the boys to leave her home as they left her on the floor, where she remained for 12 hours.

Prosecutor Hanna Llewelyn-Waters said that the pair, who can not be named for legal reasons and are now aged 17 and 16, were wearing "intimidating masks" to "instill fear" into their victim.

She argued that both defendants "acted together" and had "planned" to commit robbery, calling the elder boy's evidence "nonsense".

A forensic officer in Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, as police investigated the death of pensioner Joy Middleditch

The younger boy refused to give evidence because, Ms Llewelyn-Waters said, "he has no account to give that will stand up to scrutiny".

Ms Llewelyn-Waters referenced text messages after the robbery, where the younger defendant had texted his girlfriend saying he needed to "get rid of his clothes".

The court was told he also texted his girlfriend, after learning that Ms Middleditch had died, saying that he "will see her in 20 years" and that he "would get rid of his........

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