Vulnerable woman targeted by burglar, 47
A Telford woman stole bank cards and cash from the home of a vulnerable woman after sneaking in the back door, a court heard.
Dawn Young, 47, pleaded guilty to one offence of burglary and two offences of fraud relating to the incident which happened at an address in Stirchley on May 25 last year.
Jas Jhaliwal, prosecuting, said the victim, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, was known to Young, who would call round to ask for money and cigarettes.
He said that on the morning of the incident one of the victim's daughters unlocked the kitchen door at about 8am to let out the cat. When another daughter arrived at 8.30am she saw Young coming out of the property.
The court heard that later that day the victim, 65, discovered her purse, containing £125 cash, bank cards, a store card and an electricity top-up card was missing from a kitchen draw. She reported the matter and the cards were blocked.
Subsequent police checks found that Young had managed to purchase food and alcohol worth £103.29 at a Co-op branch and that a woman matching her description had attempted to use the cards to withdraw cash at a machine and failed.
Mr Kevin Jones, defending, said Young of Sanderville Close, also in Stirchley, regretted her actions and had made efforts to improve herself since being arrested.
"She went to ask for money and the opportunity presented itself," he told Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Young was given an 18-month community orders with requirements to attend the Thinking Skills programme and attend 40 rehabilitation activity days. She was also ordered to pay £125 compensation. She will also be made subject to a curfew for four weeks between 7.30pm and 6am.
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