Court hears girls 'bullied' Hartlepool murder victim Angela Wrightson

Ms Wrightson, 39, was found dead at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool in December 2014 after suffering a catalogue of horrendous injuries.

Two teenage girls, then aged 13 and 14, deny murdering her.

The hearing, at Leeds Crown Court, today heard evidence from her close friend Andrea Robinson.

Ms Robinson said she had been at Ms Wrightson's home a few weeks before her death, in December, 2014, when both girls were present.

She said she saw the two defendants were "bullying" her.

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Nicholas Campbell QC, she said: "I thought they were very cheeky to Angela. Very cheeky. They were knocking objects off the fireplace. Bullying.

"They were just walking about knocking ornaments off the side, laughing and finding it funny. I had to go outside and sit on the path because if not I would have got involved."

Ms Robinson added that she saw that Ms Wrightson was visibly distressed by the incident.

She said: "Angela was very upset and was saying 'please, please behave. Leave it, stop it."

"I was that furious that I wanted to get away from all of them."

Ms Robinson told the hearing that Ms Wrightson was "there for everyone".

She said: "Angela was very helpful. She couldn't hurt a fly. She got a bit cheeky now and then but she had a heart of gold.

"I could always go to her with my problems and she would give me advice."

The trial continues.