Hertfordshire pensioner seen being pushed to the ground in video footage

Myra Coutinho-Lopez died 10 days after an incident that took place at a bank in Welwyn Garden City

A jury has been shown video footage of a pensioner being pushed over by a woman in a bank days before she died.

Courtney Richman, 26, has been on trial for the manslaughter of Myra Coutinho-Lopez, 82, at Luton Crown Court.

The pensioner, who was living with Alzheimer's disease, died on 16 December 2021, 10 days after the incident at Lloyds Bank in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Ms Richman, from Welwyn Garden City, denies manslaughter.

She also denies an alternative, lesser charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

'Red mist'

The court heard that Ms Richman had become angry and agitated as a queue developed while the pensioner engaged with a cashier.

It was alleged Ms Richman said: "Hurry up - people don't have all day."

A female customer, who had been using a cash machine, offered to help Mrs Coutinho-Lopez.

As the customer walked Mrs Coutinho-Lopez away from the cashier, it was alleged the 26-year-old said: "Oh thank God" and sarcastically applauded.

When Mrs Coutinho-Lopez passed Ms Richman, she said: "Don't speak to me like that - you are very rude."

The CCTV footage played to the jury showed that the pensioner then swung her handbag and struck Ms Richman, who then pushed Mrs Coutinho-Lopez.

The prosecution told Luton Crown Court that "the red mist descended" on Ms Richman

The cashier, Susan Hanover, said there were "gasps' from the other customers when Mrs Coutinho-Lopez ended up on the floor.

Ms Hanover had printed a bank statement for Mrs Coutinho-Lopez, but the customer had become agitated when she was told there was not a balance available for her to withdraw any cash.

"The people in the queue were getting agitated. The conversation went on for quite a while - 10 to 20 minutes."

The bank's assistant manager, Delphine Gibbs, said the queue was almost stretching to the door.

Ms Gibbs said the defendant told the pensioner: "The bank hasn't stolen your money. You need to move so we can be served."

Prosecutor Martin Mulgrew alleged Ms Richman became more angry as she felt the pensioner was wasting everyone's time.

He said: "The red mist descended on this defendant and she reacted in a wholly inappropriate fashion to this vulnerable old lady."

The victim suffered fractures of her left upper arm and thigh bone and bruising to her left upper arm, wrist, the tops of her fingers, around her rib cage and flank.

Ms Richman has denied the charges. The trial continues.