AN elderly widow was battered to death in her own home by a youth just hours after he left a young offenders institution.

During the horrific attack 20-year-old Anthony Thompson also seriously sexually assaulted her, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Elsie Broadbent, 87, was found lying on her bedroom floor in her bungalow in Sea Road, Wallasey, bleeding from multiple injuries on June 11, this year.

An experienced hospital doctor who examined the pensioner was "profoundly shocked" when he saw her, said John McDermott, QC, prosecuting.

Mrs Broadbent suffered a heart attack but her multiple facial fractures needed immediate surgery and after the operation she suffered another heart attack.

She weakened significantly and a Home Office pathologist had no doubt that the heart attacks were caused by her injuries.

Thomson, of Leominster Road, Wallasey, who is now aged 21, pleaded guilty to murder and assault.

Mr Justice Leveson sentenced him to life imprisonment, saying he must serve 25 years before being considered for parole.

Mr McDermott told the court that Thompson had been sentenced to 18 months' detention in 2003 for assaulting a publican.