Woman in court charged with attempted murder of Leyburn pensioner

Ellen Margaret Louise Pounder, 47, is accused of trying to kill an 84-year-old from Leyburn, in North Yorkshire.

The alleged attack took place at about 11am on Monday, in toilets near the Posthorn Tea and Coffee House.

Miss Pounder, of Carperby, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth at the short hearing at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

She appeared in court wearing a blue T-shirt and blue trousers.

No application was made for bail and the defendant, who was arrested late on Tuesday, was remanded in custody.

She will appear at Teesside Crown Court next Thursday.

The pensioner told police she was hit on the head four or five times with what she thought was a hammer and then her own walking stick, after coming out of a cubicle and walking to the wash basin.

Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting, said: “She told the police she had blood running down her face as she was trying to protect herself.”

The court heard how Mrs Fawcett was found staggering in the alleyway near the toilets by a street warden.

She was taken to the Posthorn tearoom before being transported by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital where she was treated for head injuries, but released later that day.

Miss Reeve said the victim had been dropped off in the town by her nephew’s wife at about 9.20am and both women had done some shopping before Mrs Fawcett went to use the conveniences.

The court heard she had just withdrawn her pension of £100 from the post office and also had £200 in her handbag at the time of the attack.

The pensioner’s empty handbag was found in another toilet block opposite the town’s Sandpiper Inn. Officers also spoke to numerous shoppers and shop workers who were in the town centre at the time of the incident.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell thanked the Leyburn community for their support and assistance during the initial stages of the investigationEllen Margaret Louise Pounder, 47, is accused of trying to kill an 84-year-old from Leyburn, in North Yorkshire.

The alleged attack took place at about 11am on Monday, in toilets near the Posthorn Tea and Coffee House.

Miss Pounder, of Carperby, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth at the short hearing at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

She appeared in court wearing a blue T-shirt and blue trousers.

No application was made for bail and the defendant, who was arrested late on Tuesday, was remanded in custody.

She will appear at Teesside Crown Court next Thursday.

The pensioner told police she was hit on the head four or five times with what she thought was a hammer and then her own walking stick, after coming out of a cubicle and walking to the wash basin.

Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting, said: “She told the police she had blood running down her face as she was trying to protect herself.”

The court heard how Mrs Fawcett was found staggering in the alleyway near the toilets by a street warden.

She was taken to the Posthorn tearoom before being transported by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital where she was treated for head injuries, but released later that day.

Miss Reeve said the victim had been dropped off in the town by her nephew’s wife at about 9.20am and both women had done some shopping before Mrs Fawcett went to use the conveniences.

The court heard she had just withdrawn her pension of £100 from the post office and also had £200 in her handbag at the time of the attack.

The pensioner’s empty handbag was found in another toilet block opposite the town’s Sandpiper Inn. Officers also spoke to numerous shoppers and shop workers who were in the town centre at the time of the incident.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell thanked the Leyburn community for their support and assistance during the initial stages of the investigation.