A PATHOLOGIST told a court that the stress of falling victim to a burglary could have led to the death of a pensioner.

The court heard how James Allen, 87, of Cobham Road, Accrington, could have died because of stresses put on his heart by the theft and a subsequent operation to heal his injuries.

Mr Allen was taken to hospital on October 15, 2003 and two weeks later underwent an operation to fit an artificial hip, but died soon afterwards.

Medical experts who carried out tests on his body agreed that stresses put on the pensioner's heart, including the burglary and the operation, could have led to his death.

A 21-year-old, Graham Holden, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery and yesterday a second man, Paul Dwyer, 43, appeared at Preston Crown Court after pleading not guilty to the same offences.

Doctor Naomi Carter, a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, was asked by Howard Bentham QC, prosecuting, whether the events could have led to Mr Allen's death.

She said: "I do think they contributed more than minimally."

Heart expert Dr Simon Suvarna told the court that when he performed tests on Mr Allen's heart he found it was abnormally large.

He admitted the heart condition could have led to the victim's death at any time, but thought stress was a factor.

Dwyer's defence barrister Mr Richard Pratt said Dwyer would not be giving evidence and no evidence would be called.

Mr Pratt criticised the Crown's evidence and said: "Whether the Crown like it or the Crown don't, you only have Graham Holden's word that Paul Dwyer committed this offence."

The jury was expected to begin its deliberations today.