A 34-year-old woman appeared before Burnley’s magistrates, accused of a “violent” burglary against an 86-year-old pensioner and defrauding her out of £12,000.

Rachel Ryan, 34, is charged with aggravated burglary on September 12, when she is alleged to have stolen £70 from the Foulridge woman’s sideboard after pushing her out of the way.

Ryan is also accused of burglary at the home the alleged victim shares with her 95-year-old partner, when she is said to have stolen £1,300 from an upstairs room on the afternoon of July 20.

The defendant, of Robinson Street, Foulridge, is further charged with fraud.

On or between May 28 and June 23, she is said to have used the 86-year-old’s bank card to “make a gain for herself”.

The aggravated burglary offence can only be tried at crown court and Ryan’s case was adjourned until a hearing there at a later date.

She did not indicate pleas to the other two allegations.