A JURY is due to continue its deliberations today into the trial of Simon Hall who is accused of murdering Suffolk pensioner Joan Albert.Members of the jury retired just after 12pm at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after Mrs Justice Rafferty concluded the evidence.

A JURY is due to continue its deliberations today into the trial of Simon Hall who is accused of murdering Suffolk pensioner Joan Albert.

Members of the jury retired just after 12pm at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after Mrs Justice Rafferty concluded the evidence.

Hall, 25, of Hill House Road, Ipswich, is accused of killing the 79-year-old widow in her home in the Boydlands, Capel St Mary.

Mrs Albert's body was discovered on December 16, 2001. She had suffered multiple stab wounds.

The prosecution allege Hall broke into the property with the intention of carrying out a burglary, but stabbed the pensioner to death when she disturbed him. Hall denies murder.

The offences are alleged to have taken place when Hall lived at his parents' home in Snowcroft, Capel.

His mother, Lynn, used to walk Mrs Albert's dog Rusty and often ran shopping errands for her.

Mrs Justice Rafferty outlined the prosecution and defence evidence in the case and reminded the jury of Mrs Albert's background.

"Joan Albert was 79 when in her home at 15 Boydlands, Capel, she was stabbed to death at the hands of an intruder," she told the jury.

"She lived a fastidious life. Her home was immaculate. She enjoyed wearing her jewellery in the house and out doors.

"Her home as she aged increasingly became the centre of her life despite the efforts of local youths who made themselves a nuisance."

Mrs Justice Rafferty reminded the jury that it was up to the prosecution to prove that Hall had killed Mrs Albert.

"There is no direct evidence that Simon Hall killed Joan Albert. There is evidence, if you accept it say the Crown, he had the opportunity to do it," she said.

"He says he wasn't at the scene of the crime when it was committed. Simon Hall does not have to prove he was elsewhere at the time.

"On the contrary, the Crown must disprove his alibi."

Before the jury retired, Mrs Justice Rafferty said: "The Crown says this is a planned intrusion. They say there is no evidence of a large amount of blood from Joan and therefore no evidence the intruder would have striking bloodstains.

"The defence say fibres come from mass produced garments. His demeanour is unremarkable when he returns home on 16th to the people who know him best."