Two remanded over pensioner's death

Marie Watson died 11 days after the attack

A 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman have been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of pensioner Marie Watson.

Trevor Cook and Denise Thompson appeared before North Shields magistrates on Monday.

The pair are also charged with robbery after 77-year-old Mrs Watson died in hospital 11 days after an alleged street attack.

Mr Cook, of the YMCA, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ms Thompson, of Rothbury Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses during the 25-minute hearing.

Mrs Watson died in hospital 11 days after being attacked in her home town of Heaton, Newcastle, on 4 April.

No plea was entered during the hearing and the couple will appear before Newcastle Crown Court on 29 April.

Mrs Watson, a great-grandmother of three, was attacked yards from her front door in Spencer Street.