Tributes have been paid to an elderly woman who died following a serious assault in Bracken Bank.

Minnie Keat, 86, died in Airedale Hospital on Sunday following an attack the previous Monday.

Her son Barry Keat, 58, from Keighley, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Mrs Keat was described as a frail but “lovely” person who would do “anything for anybody”.

Neighbours Elaine and Michael McDonnell knew her for several years.

Mrs McDonnell said: “It is terrible, what kind of person could do something like that to someone so old and frail? She was only about five foot tall and very fragile in her old age.

“She used to sit out in the doorway and watch the world go by but she hasn’t recently.

“She is a lovely woman, always friendly, and she never bothered anybody.”

She said Mrs Keat had two sons, but one, Gino, who used to care for her, died a few years ago.

A former carer of Mrs Keat, who did not want to be named, said that she used to shop and cook for the widow.

She said: “She had a heart of gold, I just think it is rotten what has happened to her.

“She was quite independent for her age, she could cook some things and someone used to pick her up and she used to go down to Staveley Court Nursing Home twice a week to join in the activities there.

“It just makes me sick, she was so generous and lovely. For everything that she has done, we will miss her lots.”

Mr Keat appeared before Bradford magistrates last Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear before Bradford Crown Court this Thursday via a video link from prison.