A PENSIONER who was confronted by a burglar at her home, died just two weeks later, a court heard.

Cancer sufferer Cora Best, 81, of Marton, Middlesbrough, was said to have shown symptoms of post-traumatic stress following the raid.

Teesside Crown Court was told how Mrs Best was forced to hand over cash to teenage burglar Michael Coates after he pushed his way into her home in Worsley Crescent.

Coates, who was brandishing a walking stick, was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison.

Harry Hatfield, prosecuting, said Mrs Best had answered the door to Coates who had pushed his way in.

Holding the stick in front of him, he said he would "count to five", which Mrs Best took to be a threat.

"She was at that point trembling with fear from head to toe," said Mr Hatfield.

Mrs Best handed over £10 to Coates who, bizarrely, hugged her before he left.

He was arrested by police shortly afterwards, who discovered the walking stick nearby with Coates' fingerprints on it.

Coates, 19, admitted two counts of burglary, committed on May 9.

He also admitted a further separate offence on June 1 of causing actual bodily harm, in an incident in which a barman was left with a dislocated shoulder.

Jamie Hill, for Coates, said he had committed the offences when drunk and under the influence of cannabis, which had clouded his judgement.

Judge Anthony Briggs said Coates had already received custodial sentences for two robberies.

Sentencing him to five years prison in total, he said: "You pushed your way into the house of your victim and stole from her.

"That sort of conduct must be visited with a significant sentence."