Tina Trevis, 35, also allegedly beat "bird lady" Constance Richards about the head with a set of bellows during the savage attack at the widow's maisonette in Newtown, Birmingham.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Trevis allegedly committed the killing last year while she was desperate for "another fix" of crack cocaine.

The court heard that Mrs Richards was known locally as the "bird lady" because of her fondness for feeding pigeons near her home in Frankfort Street, Newtown.

"Multiple injuries"

She had lived at the address for the past 50 years.

James Burbidge QC, prosecuting, told jurors: "Constance Richards was found lying on the living room floor ... with a single stab wound that had penetrated her heart.

"She had also sustained other injuries in what may be described as a beating, with multiple injuries to her face and head - bruises, cuts and lacerations.

"She had also been grabbed firmly by the throat."

Previous burglary

The lawyer said a series of fingerprints on sweet wrappers, newspapers and prescription bags found at the scene led detectives to Trevis, who had burgled Mrs Richards' house only six months previously.

"This lady spent her money on crack cocaine, needed another fix, needed some easy money and knew where to get it, by burgling an old lady's house," Mr Burbidge added.

The prosecution claim Mrs Richards may have been killed after the burglary "went wrong" or during an attack to force her to disclose the whereabouts of valuables.

Mr Burbidge also suggested that Trevis may have feared that she would be identified by Mrs Richards.

Trevis, of Ryland House, Newtown, denies murdering the pensioner on a day between September 30 and October 3 last year.

The court heard that Mrs Richards' body was found on October 2 by a friend and carer who called at her home.