An aerial fitter who abused his position to prey on a vulnerable elderly couple and fleece them out of £11,000 worth of cash and jewellery has been jailed.
A judge told Craig McGarrity that his actions were “frankly disgusting” after he tricked Herbert and Irene Bland before helping himself to their life savings at their home in Cross Gates, Leeds.
Leeds Crown Court heard McGarrity – who has a long history of preying on elderly victims – worked for Leeds-based Crown Aerials.
In April last year Mr and Mrs Bland contacted him through the Yellow Pages and arranged for him to fit an aerial at their bungalow.
Georgina Coade, prosecuting, said McGarrity asked 81-year-old Mr Bland to climb into the loft so he could help McGarrity fit the aerial.
McGarrity then went into the couple’s bedroom and took £1,600 from a wallet and a drawer. He then left after telling them the job was finished.
Miss Coade said the couple didn’t report the matter to the police as they did not initially suspect McGarrity had taken the money.
In April this year McGarrity turned up unannounced at their home to say he had come to carry out an annual check on the aerial.
He again asked Mr Bland to get into the loft while he helped himself to almost £4,000 in cash and jewellery, including a pair of 84-year-old Mrs Bland’s diamond earring worth over £2,000.
Mr and Mrs Bland contacted police and McGarrity was arrested after they handed officers a business card he had given to them.
A judge told Craig McGarrity that his actions were “frankly disgusting” after he tricked Herbert and Irene Bland before helping himself to their life savings at their home in Cross Gates, Leeds.
Leeds Crown Court heard McGarrity – who has a long history of preying on elderly victims – worked for Leeds-based Crown Aerials.
In April last year Mr and Mrs Bland contacted him through the Yellow Pages and arranged for him to fit an aerial at their bungalow.
Georgina Coade, prosecuting, said McGarrity asked 81-year-old Mr Bland to climb into the loft so he could help McGarrity fit the aerial.
McGarrity then went into the couple’s bedroom and took £1,600 from a wallet and a drawer. He then left after telling them the job was finished.
Miss Coade said the couple didn’t report the matter to the police as they did not initially suspect McGarrity had taken the money.
In April this year McGarrity turned up unannounced at their home to say he had come to carry out an annual check on the aerial.
He again asked Mr Bland to get into the loft while he helped himself to almost £4,000 in cash and jewellery, including a pair of 84-year-old Mrs Bland’s diamond earring worth over £2,000.
Mr and Mrs Bland contacted police and McGarrity was arrested after they handed officers a business card he had given to them.