A 38-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman aged 76.

Darren Paul Stanger is accused of killing pensioner Winifred Hill in Biggin Hill. Miss Hill died from the head injuries she suffered during a robbery in Haig Road on Tuesday, June 28.

She was thrown to the floor, causing serious head injuries, a broken collarbone and an injury to her knee. She did not regain consciousness and died in hospital two days later.

Stanger, unemployed, of Bromley Road, Downham, has been remanded in custody by Bromley magistrates until he appears before a judge at the Old Bailey. Another man remains on police bail in connection with the robbery. A third man was released without charge.

Police are appealing for help to find Miss Hill’s stolen handbag. Det Insp Paul Barran said: “It is a ladies’ handbag, dark in colour, possibly black, and described as having two long straps that would make it possibly a shoulder bag. It is believed to be around 18in wide by about 12in deep and has a zip along the top.”

It is believed that the handbag may have been thrown from a blue car as it stopped at the entrance of a drive or field.

“We are appealing to residents, particularly those who have driveways to their premises or who may be out walking in that area, to help us to locate and retrieve Winifred’s handbag,” Det Insp Barran said.

“Furthermore we are asking anyone who may have seen a blue car that was parked in the entrance of a trackway, field, gateway or driveway shortly after 4pm on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 28, to come forward.”

* Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4868 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.