REGRET is no defence to murder, a judge has said in the trial of a burglar accused of killing a pensioner.

Justice Mark Turner QC is summing up the trial of Daniel Crompton, aged 24, who is alleged to have killed Frank Worsley after attacking him during a burglary in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, last year.

The 87-year-old, of Longfield Road, Daubhill, died nearly three weeks after the burglary.

He suffered two major strokes and bleeding in the brain, which the prosecution allege were caused by Crompton repeatedly punching Mr Worsley in the mouth.

Justice Turner said: "The prosecution doesn't have to prove to you that the defendant set out with the intention of causing really serious harm.

"The fact that afterwards he may have regretted what he has done does not amount to defence."

He added that acting in a different way when sober or "wired" from drugs was also not a defence.

He said the defence claim there is not significant medical evidence to support the suggestion there was more than one blow.

Manchester Crown Court heard the defence say confessions by Crompton to a prison worker that the pensioner fell back and hit his head were "an honest cry from the heart".

They judge will continue summing the case tomorrow.