A MAN has admitted breaking into the home of an 81-year-old terminal cancer sufferer and causing horrific injuries for the sake of a handful of cash, some costume jewellery and a bottle of sherry.

Mary Richardson, who has since died of pneumonia, was suffering from liver cancer and Alzheimer's disease when Barry Alderson entered her home and left her with a fractured skull, broken nose and collar bone and severe bruising.

Alderson, 24, admitted burgling her home and taking money, jewellery and a bottle of sherry at an earlier court hearing, but he denied causing her grievous bodily harm with intent.

But yesterday - the day he was due to be tried by a jury - he admitted using the horrific violence on the great-grandmother.

Judge Esmond Faulks has warned him that he is facing a "longer than usual" sentence behind bars.

Mrs Richardson, who had three children, eight grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren, was found unconscious in the hallway of her bungalow in Stanton Road, Shiremoor, North Tyneside, on July 2.

She died later in hospital. A post-mortem examination performed by a Home Office pathologist showed she died from pneumonia.

Her death was not linked to the beating she suffered three months before.

Tom Moran, for Alderson, said yesterday that his client, of Felton Close, Shiremoor, was preparing to learn his fate without the assistance of pre-sentence reports.

Judge Faulks told Alderson it was an appalling crime and added: "You have, at the last moment, pleaded guilty to this very serious crime.

"The next stage in the procedure is for you to be setnenced and you can expect a very substantial length of sentence."