A WHEELCHAIR-bound pensioner had a fatal heart attack when an axeman broke into his flat and terrified him.

Petrified Albert Adelagun, 80, was subjected to a humiliating search by John Pitkin, who pulled down his trousers looking for money, the Old Bailey was told.

Mr Adelagun, who lived alone in Granville Road, Stroud Green, managed to hit the panic button and told the operator that he had an intruder wielding an axe and robbing his flat.

The court was told that some of the victim's last words were: 'He'll kill me. I'm on the floor now. Tell the police to come quick. I'm dying.'

Emergency services arrived at the flat in the early hours of June 18 last year and rushed Mr Adelagun to the Whittington Hospital, where he died just an hour later.

The jury was told on Monday that Mr Adelagun had lived alone since his son moved out after a row just recently. Mr Adelagun ? who moved to England from Nigeria at the end of the war ? was in constant fear of intruders, said Stephen Kramer, prosecuting.

He asserted that the pensioner's death was the direct result of Pitkin's actions.

'His death was a direct consequence of the unlawful act of burglary,' Mr Kramer said.

A search by police of Pitkin's flat found a leather jacket with shards of glass matching that of Mr Adelagun's smashed front door and an axe.

There were also documents in the name of the victim, said Mr Kramer, and a batch of letters to Mr Adelagun were found in the hallway.

Pitkin was aware of Mr Adelagun through his girlfriend who had worked as a home help for the pensioner at various times.

But when arrested by police Pitkin refused to answer any questions.

Pitkin denies manslaughter and aggravated burglary on June 18.

The trial continues.