A THIEF whose victim died soon after her handbag was stolen is responding to a drug treatment and testing order, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Rory Jones, aged 25, of Liverpool Road, Worcester, was made subject of the 18-month order last month when he admitted theft.

He was initially charged with the manslaughter of 77-year-old Mary Tudge, of Hidcote Close, St Peter's, Worcester, but the charge was dropped when it was discovered she was suffering from a serious heart complaint.

Mrs Tudge was shopping in Tesco when her handbag containing £200 and a medical spray was stolen. She was suffering from angina and died despite resuscitation efforts.

A pathologist concluded she died from heart disease with emotional stress caused by having her handbag stolen.

Jones, who spent her money on drugs, was said to have been stunned by what had happened and had spent four months in prison on remand.

Recorder Gareth Evans QC said yesterday that Jones had been testing negative for drugs.

On Thursday he received a 12-month conditional discharge from Worcester magistrates, who ordered him to pay £50 costs for stealing from Warndon's Tesco store.