AN unemployed man told a court yesterday that he had nothing to do with the attempted robbery of an elderly woman who later died.

Jason Scott Jones told the jury at Teesside Crown Court he had been at the Co-op store in Spennymoor town centre, County Durham, on December 1 last year, but he had no recollection of seeing Vera Olley.

Mr Jones said he had waited in the post office in the Co-op, from 1.30pm until about 4pm, for a man who owed him money. The man had said he would meet him there when he cashed his Giro.

He kept waiting for the man to arrive, but decided to give up and leave, he said.

Mr Jones, 29, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Salvin Street, Spennymoor, is charged with attempted robbery and manslaughter.

He has denied the allegations.

Mrs Olley, 77, had been shopping in the Co-op and had withdrawn money at the post office. She then left the store.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Jones followed her and tried to snatch her shopping bag. Mrs Olley refused to let go and fell, causing a fracture of her upper leg.

She underwent an operation on her leg, but suffered a stroke and died of pneumonia on January 31.

The case continues.