'It was pointless'.

The family of a terminally-ill widow yesterday condemned the burglar who beat her in her own home then took a few pieces of jewellery and a bottle of sherry.

Barry Alderson, 24, was warned at Newcastle Crown Court that he faced a longer than usual prison sentence for the attack on frail cancer sufferer Mary Richardson.

Mrs Richardson died without ever leaving hospital following the attack at her home last summer, but police could not link her death to the attack.

A post-mortem examination showed the 81-year-old, who lived alone, died of pneumonia three months after the break-in at her home in Shiremoor, North Tyneside, in July 2004.

During the burglary the pensioner, who suffered from liver cancer and dementia, stood only 4ft 11in tall and weighed just over seven stone, suffered severe head injuries.

She was discovered by a carer lying in the hallway of her home the following morning. Her injuries also included a broken nose and collarbone.

Sales rep Barry Alderson, 24, who had moved into the Shiremoor area from Nottingham just weeks before the burglary, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday where he admitted causing grievous bodily harm. The case was adjourned for pre- sentence reports to be prepared and Alderson was remanded in custody until March 8.

Alderson took just a small amount of costume jewellery and a bottle of sherry in the early-hours raid.

Fourteen members of Mrs Richardson's devoted family, including her three children, were at Newcastle Crown Court to hear Alderson admit his guilt.

Mrs Richardson's 43-year-old daughter, Karyn Dickman, said after the hearing: "It was so pointless. She was a lovely, lovely person who would not hurt a fly. We don't know why he beat up an old woman for nothing and I don't suppose we ever will." Detective Chief Inspector Mick Paterson, of Northumbria Police, who led a 100-strong team of officers investigating the incident, said yesterday: "It appears to be an offence that may have been linked to some drug addiction, but I can't say clearly why it happened."

Mrs Richardson, who also had eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, suffered from Alzheimer's disease and terminal liver cancer.

Police officers were involved in a round-the-clock investigation and Alderson was arrested within a week.

Mr Patterson added: "It is a terrible offence and it has been distressing for all those involved. We hope the family can now begin to move on from what has been an extremely traumatic time for them."