Man in court over OAP robberies

Kenneth Pritchard died after confronting bogus officials

A 22-year-old man has appeared in court charged with plotting a string of robberies, including one during which an 84-year-old man died.

Johnny Doran is accused of conspiring with persons unknown to rob elderly householders at 13 addresses in the West Midlands, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire between 1 April and 4 May last year.

Mr Doran, who faces a single count of conspiracy to rob, was remanded in custody by magistrates in Wolverhampton on Friday.

The alleged robberies include one in Graiseley, Wolverhampton, after which 84-year-old Kenneth Pritchard died.

Mr Pritchard, a retired factory worker, had a heart attack on 3 May last year after he was beaten by two bogus officials who were pretending to check his tower block home for damp.

The 84-year-old was set upon by the intruders as he tried to prevent his wife, Flora, from being attacked.

Mr Doran, an itinerant of no fixed address who is originally from Leicester, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the brief hearing.

He is due to appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court on 27 October.