Pensioner cleared of knife bid to rob friend

Doris Foulis, 61, was accused of wearing a ski mask to hold up Jeanette Hetherington, 70, during an attack in which her friend broke her leg.

However, after a four-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, jurors found Mrs Foulis not guilty of attempted robbery.

She said she was delighted with the verdict but said she would now have to move house.

"I don't know what the future holds," she told reporters.

"I feel I have to watch my back. I have never slept for months."

Mrs Foulis said she had been diagnosed with angina and blamed the stress of the case.

Prosecutors claimed Mrs Foulis burst into her neighbour's home in Parsons Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, armed with a knife and demanding money.

It was claimed Mrs Foulis pushed Mrs Hetherington downstairs, breaking her thigh.

Mrs Hetherington told jurors that she instantly recognised her friend of 20 years, prompting her to shout out "Doris, I know it's you".

Jurors were told that once Mrs Foulis realised she had been rumbled, she removed the mask and knife, and raised the alarm, claiming she had found Mrs Hetherington lying on the floor.