THREE people yesterday appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of Widnes pensioner Agnes Hanrahan.

The body of Mrs Hanrahan, 71, was discovered at her home in Baguley Avenue on December 9 last year.

She had been battered to death with a blunt instrument.

Yesterday 53-year-old Denise Davies, of Horton Street, Widnes and a 17-year-old girl, of Widnes, appeared before Runcorn magistrates charged with murder and perverting the course of justice. Matthew Lawson, 19, of Somerset Way, Warrington, was charged with perverting the course of justice.

As the Weekly News went to press, magistrates were debating whether to grant bail to Mr Lawson and the teenage girl.

No application for bail was made by Mrs Davies.

Mrs Davies, the 17-year-old and Mr Lawson spoke only to confirm their ages and addresses.

Detectives launched a man-hunt after Mrs Hanrahan was killed last December.

Her body was discovered by a Meals on Wheels worker who became concerned after getting no response when she visited Mrs Hanrahan's home.

Neighbouring gardens and wheelie bins were checked for evidence and police followed a number of leads connected with the death.

Two months ago Mrs Hanrahan's daughter, Ann Johnson, made a plea for anyone with information about her mother's murder to come foward.

She said her mother was a quiet woman, devoted to her grandchildren and her dog Millie.

She said: 'She was very quiet and set in her ways.

'She did things at regular times on a regular basis.

'My mum was loved by all her children and grandchildren and she is very much missed.

'I am slowly coming to terms with the fact I will never speak to my mum again, but I can't come to terms with how her life was ended.'