An 81-year-old woman fell to the floor while struggling with a burglar who stole £70 from her flat, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard.

Dorothy Tennant suffered bruising in a tussle with neighbour Rosalyn Edmonson who was trying to stop her calling for help on her intercom security system, it is alleged.

Edmonson, 30, now of Long Lee, Keighley, pleads not guilty to burgling Mrs Tennant’s home in Taunton House, Croscombe Walk, Bradford, on March 19.

Prosecutor Camille Morland told the jury yesterday that Edmonson had lived on a higher floor than Mrs Tennant at the block of flats near Bradford city centre.

Mrs Tennant was at home alone when Edmonson knocked on her door in the early evening.

Miss Morland alleged the pensioner tried to shut the door on Edmonson but she put her foot in the doorway to prevent it closing.

When Mrs Tennant picked up the intercom to press the button for security, Edmonson is accused of grabbing at it and struggling with her in the hallway.

Miss Morland said Mrs Tennant was knocked backwards and the defendant helped her up before going into the flat and taking £70.

The pensioner did not at first realise that money had been stolen from her but it “clicked” after Edmonson had left. She checked her purse and saw that £70 in banknotes was missing.

The trial continues.