A raider 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 alzheimers disease when Barry Alderson entered her home and left her with a fractured skull, broken nose and collar bone and severe bruising.

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

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

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

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

She was discovered by her carer lying in the hallway of her home.

She died later in hospital and a post mortem performed by a home office pathologist showed she died from pneumonia.

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

Defence barrister Tom Moran said yesterday Alderson, of Felton Close, also in Shiremoor, was preparing to learn his fate yesterday without the assistance of pre-sentence reports.

Judge Faulks told Alderson "this 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."