TWO people have appeared in court charged with the murder of a 77-year-old who died after she was allegedly mugged for a fish supper.

Trevor Cook, 19, of the YMCA, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, and Denise Thompson, 21,of Rothbury Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, are jointly charged with the murder and robbery of partially-sighted widow Marie Watson.

The great-grandmother died in hospital on April 13 after she was allegedly attacked on her way home from her local chip shop, in Heaton.

Mr Cook and Miss Thompson spoke only to confirm their names during the five-minute hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

No pleas have been entered.

Judge David Hodson extended an order banning the publication of any visual image of the two defendants under the Contempt of Court Act.

The pair were remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, July 8, for a plea and direction hearing.