Husband had heart attack after burglary, court told

The widow of a man who died of a heart attack after a burglary at their West Bromwich home has described the moment the hooded attacker broke in.

Marcia Peniket said the raider, who is said to have been armed with a knife and imitation firearm, forced his way in and knocked both her and husband David to the floor.

In a recorded interview shown to a manslaughter trial jury yesterday, the 75-year-old said: "You know when you see boxing matches? It was like that."

She said: "The bell went and the dog started barking. David went to open the door. I told him to be careful.

"He had his foot by the door but the man pushed it open. I came out to see what happened and he knocked us both on the floor."

Mrs Peniket, who suffers with thyroid, heart and kidney problems, said the attacker wore a 'woolly helmet' when he broke in, at about 9.30pm on May 2.

She said her 69-year-old husband's glasses were knocked off and at one point she was held on the ground.

Gordon Whitehouse, who lived in Bedford Road, Hateley Heath, the same road as Mr and Mrs Peniket, is accused of deliberately targeting the couple.

Mr Peniket is alleged to have been punched in the face. He suffered a heart attack and died in hospital.

Whitehouse, 46, denies manslaughter, aggravated burglary and possessing an imitation firearm.

The trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court continues.