A NEWPORT woman was yesterday found not guilty of robbing her neighbour.

Leanne Preece, 29, of Hopkins Walk, Ringland, was accused of robbing her neighbour, Anna James, on October 6 last year. She had denied the charge.

During the three-day trial, Newport Crown Court heard Miss James claimed she returned to her flat at 8pm to find her front door kicked in and a music centre, shoes and clothes missing from her flat.

The police were called and after they left, Miss James said Miss Preece and an unknown man barged in through the broken front door. She said Miss Preece shouted that she had “grassed her up” and started hitting and scratching her face before grabbing her bag which contained £300 and cash cards.

Defence barrister Jane Rowley told the court Miss Preece was invited to Miss James’s house on October 6 and Miss James struck Miss Preece following an argument. The court heard Miss Preece tried to defend herself.

Miss Preece admitted spending £50 a day on heroin, but said she has a “sugar daddy” who gave her money for caring for him and doing his shopping.

Her previous convictions were read out in court and Miss Preece said “If I commit and offence, I admit it.”

She said on the night of the incident Miss James pulled her hair and so she defended herself by punching her.

Miss Preece was also originally charged with intimidation, but Judge Paul Thomas directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on the charge due to insufficient evidence.

Jury members found Miss Preece not guilty of robbery yesterday.