A WOMAN stole from a man with learning difficulties and a disabled elderly woman after conning her way in to their homes claiming she was collecting for charity.
Leeds Crown Court heard burglar Stacey Williamson got in to a 79-year-old woman’s home in Flanshaw, Wakefield, after telling her she and accomplice Claire Wallace were collecting for cancer research at Pinderfields Hospital.
The two drug addicts spent around an hour inside the pensioner’s flat and left after stealing £20 during the incident at around 8.30pm last October 31.
They also took two unopened birthday cards each containing £10, which the pensioner had bought for her granddaughters.
Earlier that night Williamson, 25, and Wallace, 27, had conned their way in to a 51-year-old man’s flat in Luspet, Wakefield.
Prosecutor, Tony Kelbrick said that victim had learning difficulties, adding: “They were saying they were collecting for a charity.
“Once inside, they made themselves at home. They helped themselves to tea and toast.”
Mr Kelbrick said a small safe, containing bank cards and a small amount of cash, was stolen.
The court heard Williamson, of Ashdown Road, Agbrigg, Wakefield, was a heroin and crack cocaine user at the time and has been using drugs since the age of 13.
Wallace, a mother-of-two, has been a drug user since she was 14.
Williamson admitted two offences of burglary.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier jailed Williamson for three years after hearing she has 31 previous convictions for theft and robbery and three convictions for four offences of burglary.
And he handed Williamson a five-year Anti Social Behaviour Order, banning her from entering people’s gardens and soliciting cash for charity.
Wallace, who admitted burglary of the 79-year-old woman’s home, was jailed for 27 months.
Michael Devlin, mitigating for Williamson, said: “She is adamant that she does recognise the despicable nature of these crimes.
“She does express remorse.”
Kate Batty, mitigating for Wallace, said: “She has two children. They are not living with her. She has everything to fight for.”