Man charged with robbery after breaking into pensioner's home

A 23-year-old man appeared at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday (11 July 2013) charged with robbery after he allegedly assaulted an elderly woman in her home in Cross Hills before stealing her purse on 2 July 2013.

Fredrick Michael Smith, of Sutton-in-Craven, near Keighley, was remanded in custody and will reappear in court at a later date.
Smith was also charged with a burglary on High Street, Sutton-in Craven, on 2 July 2013 and two thefts from motor vehicles.
Officers would like to thank members of the public for the information they provided following an appeal for witnesses about the robbery in Cross Hills.
Police would also like to make a further appeal for information and are urging anyone who saw a young man with dark hair, carrying a dark bag in Sutton-in-Craven on the morning of Tuesday 2 July 2013.
Members of the public are also urged to come forward if they come across a discarded brown leather wallet in either Cross Hills or Sutton-in-Craven.
If you can help officers with their enquiries, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 - select option 2 - and ask for Skipton CID.
If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.