Man in court over burglary death

A man will appear in court today accused of murder in connection with the death of a pensioner following a burglary.

George Portsmouth, 24, of Varley Street in Colne, Lancashire, will appear before Blackburn Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of 80-year-old Connie French.

Portsmouth allegedly attacked Mrs French after breaking into her home in North Street, Colne, on March 27.

Originally charged with burglary and grievous bodily harm, he now faces a murder charge following Mrs French's death in hospital last Saturday.

A post-mortem was carried out this week to establish the cause of her death.

During the burglary an alarm pendant and £230 in cash were allegedly stolen, and the pensioner suffered severe bruising to her neck and chest.