Leeds man stole handbag from 91-year-old woman then tried to burgle her home

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David Clarkson, 60, was caught on CCTV trying to persuade the vulnerable pensioner to open the door of her home two weeks after tricking her while she was out shopping.

Leeds Crown Court heard the pensioner was targeted by Clarkson as as she was wheeling a shopping trolley at the corner of Church Lane and Vicarage Drive, Pudsey, Leeds.

Helen Chapman, prosecuting, said Clarkson distracted the victim by telling her she had dropped some coins.

She was unable to bend down so Clarkson offered to do it for her and she thanked him for his help.

The victim discovered that her handbag was missing when she got home.

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Miss Chapman said the bag contained a wallet, store cards, a bank statement and a slip of paper with her address written on.

Around two weeks later, on November 10 last year, Clarkson turned up at the pensioner’s home and claimed to know where her stolen belongings were.

The prosecutor said: “He encouraged her to try to open the door but she did not do that and he left.”

Clarkson, of Hawkswood Terrace, Kirkstall, was arrested after being recognised from camera footage.

He pleaded guilty to theft and attempted burglary.

The court heard Clarkson has 22 previous convictions, including offences of burglary dating back to 1970.

He was also jailed for an offence of robbery in 1997.

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Ray Singh, mitigating, said Clarkson’s offending was linked to a long-standing addiction to drink and drugs.

The barrister said: “He is extremely apologetic to the complainant.”

Clarkson was sent to prison for three years, eight months.

Judge Sally Cahill, QC, said: “Common sense dictates that for a lady who is fairly frail to have her bag taken in the street would have been very distressing.

“Then to have you come to her house and invade her personal space would have been awful.”