A BURGLAR who allegedly choked a woman with learning difficulties to death boasted he “chickened” her, a court heard.

Heroin addict Michael McKevitt is accused of killing Pauline Beattie.

Prosecutors claim McKevitt, 37, and Stephen Wales, 44, broke into the 54-year-old’s home in Anfield so they could steal money for drugs.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard Miss Beattie was choked to death after McKevitt held her and placed her head in a forearm lock.

Stuart Driver, prosecuting, claimed the two men plotted the burglary because Miss Beattie’s live-in carer, Alf Burgess, was “generous” with his money.

Mr Driver said Mr Burgess returned from work on June 6 last year and found Miss Beattie lying on the floor.

He said McKevitt, of Phoenix Brow, St Helens, and Wales, of Bright Street, Everton, were heard plotting to “do someone’s house”.

He said: “McKevitt told his friends he had done something else, something violent.

“He said: ‘I’ve chickened her’.”

McKevitt admits burglary and manslaughter and Wales admits burglary. Both deny murder.

The case continues.