A FIFTY-year-old woman who was arrested in the wake of an East Lancashire grocer’s death has walked free from court.

Hayley Fulleylove had originally been accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Harry Morris, after he collapsed at his S&B Fruits in Water Street, Earby, last June.

But prosecutors dropped these charges after considering expert medical evidence showed she had no involvement in the 67-year-old’s death.

Fulleylove still faced allegations that she had stolen £150 from Mr Morris and then driven off in his Land Rover Freelander.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said a further statement had been obtained from Sally Iridenko, Mr Morris’ stepdaughter, which indicated she could not be sure the money, ostensibly a float for the shop, had been left in the till.

The court heard money had also been found in a flat, attached to the shop, which could have represented the missing cash.

Mr McEntee also said the Crown would not seek a crown court trial on the car theft matter and not guilty verdicts were entered.

Fulleylove did plead guilty though to a public order offence involving Mrs Iridenko, from April 23 last year.

Mr McEntee said the grocers belonged to Mrs Iridenko’s late mother and Mr Morris had been allowed to continue running the shop and living in a related flat.

Mr Morris had been in a relationship with Fulleylove, of which his step-daughter did not approve.

An eyewitness was driving past the shop last April when she saw Mrs Iridenko and Fulleylove arguing in the street outside the shop.

The confrontation ended with Mrs Iridenko asking Fulleylove to “leave her alone” but Fulleylove removed her jacket and continued to be aggressive, the court heard.

Judge Richard Gioserano imposed a 12-month conditional discharged on the defendant, who had been in custody now for six months.

Judge Gioserano said the court was aware of the “tragic circumstances” surrounding Mr Morris death and the serious charges Fulleylove had once faced.

“The last thing that I want to do, and perhaps what you want, is for me to release you back to heroin, which has blighted your life, along with drink, but that is up to you,” added the judge.

The court heard Mr Morris had helped to fund Fulleylove’s drugs problem, which had caused tensions within his family.