Suspect charged with pensioner's murder

The elderly woman died after an attack at her home

A 21-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a pensioner in her home and carrying out a series of robberies on elderly women in the same village.

Stephen Burgess appeared at Leicester Crown Court charged with murdering 81-year-old Mildred Hope-Baldwin as he attempted to rob her of money in her home in Kegworth, Leicestershire.

Mr Burgess, also of Kegworth, denied nine separate counts of robbery, attempted robbery, burglary and theft.

He denied robbing Kathleen Mary Eslemont of money in February, 2002 and attempting to rob the same woman in April last year.

Screwdriver

He also pleaded not guilty to stealing money from pensioner Hilda Bishop in the village and robbing two other women of cash.

He further denied entering homes in Kegworth armed with a rolling pin and a screwdriver, stealing money and war medals.

Burgess was remanded back into custody by Mr Justice Hunt for a pre-trial directions hearing on October 11.

The trial is expected to start in January.