Teens guilty of burglary where woman died later

Two teenage boys who broke into the house of a pensioner who died two days later have been found guilty of burglary and robbery.

The pair, now aged 16 and 17, were originally arrested on suspicion of the murder of Joy Middleditch, 82, in Lowestoft in Suffolk, in 2023.

She was found lying on the floor of her home in Grayson Avenue in Pakefield and died at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston.

Ms Middleditch's family said she was "worth more than to be a victim of cruel, thoughtless criminals". The pair are due to be sentenced next month.

Suffolk Police said they were called on the afternoon of Saturday, 25 March, 2023 to reports that an older woman had been found on the floor of her home following a suspected robbery in the early hours of the morning.

They found that a handbag containing a purse had been removed from the house.

The two teenage boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested on suspicion of murder six days later.

They were charged instead with robbery and burglary in April 2024.

They have been convicted after a three-day hearing at Great Yarmouth Youth Court, where they are due to be sentenced on 9 May.

Following the verdict, Det Con Debra Bates said Ms Middleditch was "a vulnerable, elderly woman who was robbed of her possessions in the middle of the night by these two individuals, for relatively little financial gain".

She said her family had been "patient throughout this investigation".

In a statement, Ms Middleditch's family said: "Joy was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister to several siblings, an aunt and a close friend to many."

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