IPSWICH/FELIXSTOWE: A teenage burglar is awaiting his fate today after allegedly hitting a 72-year-old woman while trying to escape from her home.

Joshua Smith, of Maidstone Road, Felixstowe, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to burglary, but denied he had punched the pensioner.

At the time Smith had been surprised by the pensioner while he was stealing a bag containing jewellery from her house in Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Prosecutor Patricia Doggett said although Smith was willing to concede he shoved his victim but did not hit her, the Crown would not accept the 18-year-old had just pushed the OAP.

The court heard the woman sustained reddening to her cheek during the incident, but did not require hospital treatment.

The burglary took place shortly before 3pm on May 19.

The woman returned home to find a startled Smith inside.

As he came down the stairs he found his way out blocked. The woman tried to get the bag he had in his hand, but was then manhandled.

The court was told that in her witness statement the victim said: “The youth screamed and all of a sudden he punched me to the left side of the face.”

Smith denied hitting her, saying he would not have deliberately punched the woman.

After the altercation he made his escape, but was found in Valley Road following a police search of the area which included using the force’s helicopter.

Judge John Holt said it was Smith’s third such offence.

He remanded Smith in custody while a pre-sentence report was prepared by the probation service.

Smith is due to be sentenced some time after the week commencing June 20.

n Have you been confronted by a burglar in your own home? E-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.