A MAN and a woman have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with a burglary which happened while an 84-year-old woman was upstairs fighting for her life.

The couple were allegedly asked for help by the woman's 86-year-old, blind husband before sneaking into the house while he was going to get his daughter.

The woman died before her husband returned.

Steven Morris, 45, and Kelly Cassidy, 42, both of Southfield Street, Nelson, were sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court charged with burglary at an address in Walter Street and theft of a mobile phone and a purse together worth £549.

Morris was also charged with attempted burglary at another address on the same street. They will appear before the Crown Court on November 26.