Jail for raid on blind OAP’s home

A FERMANAGH man who broke into the home of a 96-year-old blind woman and stole cash has been jailed.

Dungannon Crown Court heard this was the second time an elderly person had been targeted in their own home by Nathan Phair, who showed no emotion as sentence was passed.

Phair (22), of Castlebalfour Park, Lisnaskea, has been remanded in custody since his arrest. He admitted entering the victim’s home as a trespasser on August 27, 2017, and stealing £200.

The victim in the latest case was particularly vulnerable as she is blind and hearing impaired.

Phair committed the offence 11 months after being given a suspended sentence for a similar burglary. In that instance, the victim was also elderly and isolated but Phair and two others ransacked every room in his home, then attacked him with burning coals.

In respect of the latest crime, the victim was in bed when she became aware of a disturbance.

She opened her bedroom door and observed a male descending stairs from the attic. He fled the scene and police were called.

Entry had been gained by smashing a downstairs window and the house was completely ransacked, with £200 missing.

Officers recovered a glove and a footprint, both of which were sent for analysis. DNA matching Phair’s was found on the glove and the footprint was linked to a previous incident.

Efforts to arrest Phair proved difficult and he was described as “actively evading police”. Following arrest, bail was refused and he remained in custody.

Prosecution counsel told the court there were many aggravating Jailed: Nathan Phair was sentenced for burglary factors in the case including the previous similar offence, the targeting of a vulnerable, isolated, elderly victim with sight and hearing loss, and the length of time spent ransacking the house.

Defence counsel blamed the offence on Phair’s excessive substance abuse at the time, with the burglary committed “in a zombified state”.

Judge Rafferty QC paid tribute to the “stoicism” of the victim, but noted she had been left affected by the incident.

Imposing a sentence of fourand-a-half years, which included a 12-month suspended term for the previous offence, Judge Rafferty said: “Those who think they can break into the homes of elderly and vulnerable persons in the community, will and can only expect significant custodial sentences.”

Phair is to serve half his sentence in custody and the remainder on supervised licence.