A MAN stole £4,000 and gold jewellery from an elderly woman after he offered to carry out painting work in her home for free.

Gregory James Crisp told Peggy Bonner, who was aged in her 90s, to stay in the living room of her Poole flat while he carried out work in the hallway.

He went into her bedroom without her permission and located a tin in the wardrobe which contained the money and a gold watch and bracelet set.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Mrs Bonner had intended to give the money to members of her family for Christmas, while 43-year-old Crisp wanted the money to pay off a substantial drug debt.

Recorder Richard Onslow said the crime involved a “despicable breach of trust”.

“This was targeting of a vulnerable old lady and it was aggravated by the breach of trust,” the judge said.

Prosecuting, Rachel Bailey said Anchor Housing Association ordered work to be completed at the property and the defendant was deployed to do so.

Upon doing the scheduled work, Mrs Bonner said there was additional work she wanted to be completed.

The defendant, of Kiln Way, Verwood, offered to carry this out free of charge.

The court heard when he came back to the property to carry out paint work in the hallway in late 2021 he requested Mrs Bonner stay in the living room due to paint fumes and a draught.

“He entered her bedroom and located a box that was in the wardrobe,” Ms Bailey said.

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A statement from Mrs Bonner’s daughter read in court said her mother had been taken advantage of by someone she trusted.

“The loss of money was always on her mind,” the statement said.

It added: “What upsets me most is mum not knowing the end of this crime.”

Ms Bailey said Mrs Bonner had died in the time between the offence taking place and the matter coming before the courts.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a single charge of burglary when he first appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court in early January.

Mitigating, Kevin Hill said the incident was “entirely out of character” for Crisp.

“He has been living with the guilty, as he should, ever since,” the barrister said.

Mr Hill said a pre-sentence report by the Probation Service detailed the defendant suffered from severe depression and abused class A drugs for many years.

Crisp struggled following the breakdown of a long-term relationship four years ago and his drug use increased, which led to a debt to dealers being run up very quickly, the court heard.

Mr Hill said he had taken positive steps to address his difficulties, being clean from drugs and moving back to living with his parents, while his father is managing his finances.

The barrister said there was sufficient prospect of rehabilitation and strong personal mitigation to justify a suspended sentence.

Sentencing judge Recorder Onslow said he was just persuaded to spare the defendant immediate custody.

“You went into her bedroom in the month before Christmas,” the judge said.

“You had no business to be in her bedroom, you distracted her and you stole from her.”

Recorder Onslow added: “When she discovered shortly before Christmas that it was not there one can only imagine how upset she was.”

The judge said Crisp had taken substantial steps to address his addiction.

“I accept that you have felt guilty at committing this offence and I accept that it was out of character for you and I accept that you live with the guilty and will for years to come,” Recorder Onslow said.

Crisp was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a requirement to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £4,300 compensation to Mrs Bonner’s family at the hearing on March 3.

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