A MAN attempted to defraud a woman suffering from Alzheimer's by stealing her pension, a court has heard.

Terence Watson, of Napier Avenue, Jaywick, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with fraud.

The 53-year-old denies the charge.

The court heard how Watson had allegedly contacted the BBC, where the woman had previously worked, to say her bank details had changed and asked for her pension to be transferred to a new account.

Watson will next appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on April 27 for trial.