A HARD-HEARTED burglar who helped himself to jewellery, cash and mobile phones belonging to a disabled man has been jailed for 45 months.

Bournemouth Crown Court was told how Paul Leslie Lawrence, who is also known as Paul Ashford, targeted a 73-year-old man who lives in the Southbourne area of Bournemouth.

After gaining entry to the pensioner’s Vale Road home on May 14 this year Lawrence, 56, stole jewellery, a mobile phone and cigarettes from his vulnerable victim, who has not been identified The victim was also as-saulted.

Police were alerted after the break-in and Law-rence was arrested a short time later at his Bournemouth home, on suspicion of burglary.

The court was told how Lawrence had previously tricked his way into the home of the same man on March 25 when he and a woman, who has not yet been traced, asked to use the unsuspecting victim’s toilet.

On this occasion Lawrence, who pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, fled with two mobile phones and a quantity of cash.

He also admitted a theft offence on September 24.

Inspector Richard Dixey from the Dorset Police Priority Crime Team, said: “This was a particularly nasty crime with a vulnerable man being targeted on separate occasions.

“His property was stolen and he was also subjected to an assault.”

He added: “I hope that the sentence handed down in this case will illustrate how seriously these types of offences are viewed by Dorset police and the courts.”