Woman attacked 70-year-old man in his flat in Leeds and stole £300 from his wallet

Tracey Jarrett preyed on the elderly victim as he was waiting for medication to be delivered to his flat in Chapeltown.

Leeds Crown Court heard Jarrett walked into the pensioner's home and pushed him to the floor.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the victim immediately felt pain to his back and shoulder during the incident on October 4 last year.

His wallet fell out of his pocket as he fell to the ground and Jarrett picked it up and removed £300 in cash.

Mr Ahmed said the man was vulnerable and suffered from poor health.

He had left the door of his flat on Mexborough Avenue ajar as he was waiting for the delivery of his prescription.

Jarrett left after taking the money but was arrested four days later when the incident was reported to police.

She was in possession of a small amount of cocaine when she was arrested.

The 48-year-old, of Cowper Street, Chapeltown, initially denied any offending but pleaded guilty to theft and common assault.

Jarrett had previous convictions for stealing from the elderly.

She also has a conviction for breaching a restraining order which banned her from going into a housing complex for the elderly.

Jarrett breached the order by entering the building as residents were at a funeral.

She also has a conviction for threatening to attack a member of staff at a betting shop.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Jarrett had been in prison on remand since her arrest and had admitted the offences at an early stage.

He said: "She has little help and support, difficulties with housing and problems with relationships, emotional well-being and substance misuse."

Mr Welford said a probation service report recommended Jarrett be made the subject of a rehabilitation requirement to address her offending behaviour.

Jarrett was made the subject of a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to do 140 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Andrew Stubbs, QC, said: "I am hoping the three months you have done (in prison) would have the impact that the court would wish for.

"I am going to give you a chance to get you the help that you obviously need. It is up to you now to take that chance."