A teenager and a 21-year-old woman appeared before magistrates today charged with the murder of a 77-year-old woman who died after she was allegedly mugged for a £2 fish supper.

Trevor Cook, 19, of the YMCA, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, and his co-accused, Denise Thompson, of Rothbury Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, were jointly charged with the murder and robbery of great grandmother Marie Watson.

The widow died nine days ago in hospital after she was allegedly attacked on her way home from her local chip shop in Heaton.

The pair today did not enter any pleas as they sat in the dock at North Tyneside Magistrates Court. They Were remanded in custody and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 29.

During the 25-minute hearing, the bench ordered that publication of photographs of both defendants must be blocked until the crown court hearing when the issue will be addressed again.