Three lone pensioners were terrorised in their homes by a hammer-wielding burglar, a jury heard.

One alleged victim, an 87-year-old woman, was apparently pushed over and left with a shattered arm, which needed surgery

Another woman, aged 89, was forced on to her bed and tied up by the intruder, who threatened to punch her and kill her cat, it was claimed.

Both elderly householders had their phone lines cut during their terrifying ordeals, the court heard.

A 78-year-old man, allegedly found accused Anthony Jesson ransacking his house and was threatened with a hammer raised in the air.

At Leicester Crown Court yesterday, Jesson (40), of Collett Road, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, denied aggravated burglary and robbery at the 87-year-old's warden-assisted flat off Blackbird Road, in the city, in November 2008.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said the victim had become aware of a man in her bedroom and tried to escape.

He said: "The defendant pushed her, causing her to strike her head against a wall as she fell over.

"Stolen from her flat was a purse, jewellery and £500.

"In his haste, the defendant left a knife and a hammer. The hammer is a tool regularly used by this defendant in the commission of similar offences."

Jesson was arrested the next day and allegedly found in possession of the victim's property.

He also denied robbing the 89-year-old widow on March 1, 2009.

Mr Thomas said: "She found the defendant in her bedroom and bravely confronted him.

"He responded violently, threatening to spray her with a canister and punch her in the face.

"At one point, he threatened to kill her cat. Terrified, she handed over £225, her post office card and pin number.

"Not satisfied, he demanded the rings from her fingers."

Mr Thomas said Jesson tied her up and forced her on to the bed.

The sheath of a knife was found on the bed.

The court heard a yellow Fiat Punto, earlier seen near the scene of the crime, was parked outside the defendant's home later that day when police went to arrest him.

He fled barefoot but was found with the victim's cash, post office book and pin number.

Jesson also denied aggravated burglary and robbery of the 78-year-old, in Somerset Avenue, in the city, in March last year.

Mr Thomas said: "Holding the hammer in his left hand, the defendant pointed the weapon at the victim, demanding 'Where's your money'.

"The defendant had his other hand inside his jacket, which was bulging, and the victim feared he had a knife."

The pensioner escaped to another room, where a neighbour found him wheezing in distress.

Jesson also denies burglary in The Fairway, Blaby, in February 2008, when a postman allegedly saw him and another man acting suspiciously, and burgling a house in Uplands Road, Oadby, in March 2009, when two laptop computers, a camera, iPod and £100 were allegedly taken.

The jury was told Jesson has admitted burglaries at five other addresses in the Leicester area, between November 2008 and March 2009.

Mr Thomas said: "On each occasion, he'd used a hammer to gain entry, which is significant evidence in this case."

The trial continues.