Two people accused of mugging 87-year-old blind woman Gladys Yarham have appeared in court after key witnesses contacted police.

Two people accused of mugging 87-year-old blind woman Gladys Yarham have appeared in court after key witnesses contacted police.

Terry Thomas, 25, and Kimberly Cunningham, 20, both from Lefroy Road, Norwich, have been charged with robbery in connection with last week's attack. They appeared before Norwich magistrates where they spoke only to confirm their names.

Mrs Yarham, who lives in sheltered housing in Norwich and carries a white stick due to her eye condition, suffered a dislocated shoulder and concussion in the incident in the city's Recorder Road area.

She had been shopping and was resting on a bench in nearby Stuart Gardens when she was robbed of her handbag.

Superintendent Jim Smerdon said: “A number of people have come forward with information, all of whom had seen parts of the incident. We have introduced extra patrols in the area and will continue to offer reassurance. Norwich remains one of the safest cities in the country and we will continue to work hard to keep it that way.”

Thomas and Cunningham did not enter pleas at the hearing. They submitted no bail petition and were remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing on May 30.

Following the attack Mrs Yarham was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she stayed overnight. She has since returned home.

She said: “I don't want to let this get me down and would like to carry on being as independent as possible because I don't like relying on other people and think it is important to keep active.”