A WOMAN posed as a charity worker to steal the savings from an elderly man.
Sheryl Annis, 35, preyed on the 83-year-old man on two occasions, gaining entry to his home by claiming she worked for Age Concern.
He offered her sherry and kindness but Annis returned his generosity by stealing his money and property.
She even administered medication to him to keep up the pretence of being a carer.
Hull Crown Court heard Annis, of Albany Street, west Hull, had targeted the elderly previously.
Judge Mark Bury has jailed her for four years after she pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary.
He told her: "You are to be sentenced for two very mean offences in the home of an elderly man, who can properly be described as vulnerable.
"He has memory problems and can become very easily confused.
"You entered his home masquerading as an officer from Age Concern.
"You must be taught you cannot break into vulnerable people's houses and you need to know that when you are caught, a significant sentence will follow."
Annis went to her victim's home in Freehold Street, Hull city centre, on April 12 with a friend and both women claimed they were charity workers there to help him.
The pensioner, who suffers from dementia, offered them sherry.
It was a fingerprint from the glass Annie drank from that eventually led to the police identifying her.
Prosecutor James Byatt said: "He is an elderly gentleman who can become quite confused and suffers from memory problems.
"They claimed they were from Age Concern and he invited them in and offered them a drink of sherry. Nothing was taken on this occasion."
Annis returned on April 28, wearing the same beige clothing as before and repeated the claim she was one of his carers.
On this occasion, she gave him a drink and some medication.
When he was not looking, Annis then stole £100 from him.
It was only when he returned to his bedroom later that he discovered his wallet was empty and he called the police.
Judge Bury said: "You were invited in and nothing was stolen, probably because you didn't get the opportunity. It was probably an opportunity to look for what there was to steal on a future occasion.
"You went back claiming to be a carer. You were invited in and stole property from his wallet. You do not need me to tell you how serious these offences are, committed against a vulnerable man and they were clearly premeditated.
"These offences cause elderly people genuine fear and concern that they will be targeted by the likes of you. You have a bad record. In 2010 you befriended an elderly woman while shopping and stole her purse. You were jailed, but it has not taught you a lesson."
Annis was previously jailed for 21 months for stealing the 89-year-old woman's bag and purse.
Her solicitor, Harold Bloomfield, said: "She is thoroughly ashamed of herself. There is absolutely nothing that excuses her behaviour. She is contrite and is remorseful."
A spokesman for Age UK Hull told people to ask for identification and to take precautions before allowing strangers to enter their homes.
He said: "Although fewer older people become victims of crime than other age groups, people in later life can be an attractive target for scammers.
"Fortunately, a lot of scams can be avoided.
"Our advice to anyone who is concerned about an unexpected caller is to follow the 'lock, stop, chain, check' steps to protect themselves from bogus doorstep callers.
"For more information, contact your local Age UK."
People are urged to lock their doors, put the chain on their door before answering it and to ask for their caller's identification before allowing them into their homes.
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