Two men admit OAP's manslaughter

Maira Roberts had lived in Prestatyn all her life

Two men have admitted the manslaughter of an 82-year-old woman who died the day after a burglary at her home at Prestatyn, Denbighshire.

Appearing at Mold Crown Court John Roberts, 42, and Nathan Williams, 18, both from Dyserth, admitted unlawfully killing Maira Roberts last November.

A charge of manslaughter against Pepetia Jo Dawson, 22, was dropped.

Judge John Rogers, QC, remanded all three in custody. They will be sentenced next month.

All three denied robbery at Miss Roberts's home the day before she died, but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of burglary when they stole credit cards and a lottery ticket.

Roberts denied two other charges of burglary at the homes of elderly people in Palmeria Gardens and Ffordd Isa, Prestatyn, but admitted two alternative charges of handling stolen goods.

Dawson admitted the burglary at Ffordd Isa, Prestatyn, and possessing cocaine, a Class A drug.

The court was told Miss Roberts, a local amateur artist, had lived at her home all her life.

Following the burglary, during which the prosecution said she was pushed, she rushed to neighbours to get help, saying she had been mugged.

She suffered chest pains, and died the following day at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan.

Following the hearing the officer who led the investigation, Det Supt Peter Challinor, said it had been a huge task to collate all the evidence.

"I am tremendously pleased with the work my officers have put in to this case, along with the Crown Prosecution Service team," he said.