Teenage boys appear before Norwich Magistrates’ Court charged with robbery and burglary after death of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, pensioner Joy Middleditch

Two teenage boys have appeared in court after the death of a pensioner last year.

The boys, 15 and 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

They pleaded not guilty to one count each of robbery and another count of burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal after the death of Joy Middleditch, 82, of Pakefield, last year.

Ms Middleditch was found lying on the floor of her home in Grayson Avenue, shortly after 1.50pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

She was taken to James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth, where she died two days later.

Ms Middleditch told her relatives, and later police officers, that she had heard a noise at the door before two masked men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground.

On March 31, two teenage boys, then 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning before being bailed.

Their bail was extended a total of four times.

They were charged in April – more than one year after the incident.

Following the hearing, the pair were remanded in custody on conditional bail.

The case will be heard again on July 1.