Callous Wakefield burglar duped frail 86-year-old to steal bags of shopping
A devious pensioner tried to trick an elderly woman in her own home, before stealing bags of food.
Mary Lorriman admitted burgling the property in Ossett, having let herself in through a side door.
She claimed she was under duress and threatened, but this was disproved during a trial of fact at Leeds Crown Court.
Lorriman was handed a suspended sentence.
The court heard the victim was 86 and lives alone, but is visited by homecare workers four times a day.
On the afternoon of August 24 last year, the woman had been in her living room when 69-year-old Merriman let herself in, telling the frail woman that she knew her carer.
After using the toilet, the sneaky burglar then went onto the pantry. The elderly woman followed her using a zimmer frame and found Lorriman rooting around among her food items.
She took two bags of cheese worth just £10 and left.
The victim raised the alarm with her neighbours and the police were called.
Lorriman, of Teall Street, Ossett, was recognised by CCTV footage.
Following her arrest, she initially denied being at the address.
She later claimed a man had forced her to collect food from the property, which was not accepted by the Crown.
The judge, Recorder Ayesha Smart, said there were “inconsistencies and contradictions” in Lorriman’s story during a recent trial of issue, ruling against her.
Her barrister, Lily Wildman had said in mitigation that she was a vulnerable woman herself.
Lorriman was given 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. She was also given 25 rehabilitation days with probation to complete and given a five-year restraining order to keep her away from the victim.