Burglar targeted blind church pensioner and stole her bag
A BURGLAR befriended an elderly blind woman at church and went to her home, asked to use her toilet and stole her handbag.
Kevin Kelly lied his way into the 80-year-old’s house by telling her he was cold and desperate to use the bathroom on the way to visit his daughter in hospital.
DC Daniel Parry, from South Wales Police, said: “This was a calculated and particularly cruel incident.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard the woman took her guide dog with her to a film night at Emmanuel Christchurch in Bridgend on December 27 last year.
The defendant introduced himself as Dave and was welcomed by the church community. The pastor drove the woman home and agreed to give the defendant a lift too.
Christopher Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant went to her home the next day and she opened the door as she was expecting a delivery.
Kelly said: “I’m Dave from the church last night. I’m on my way to see my daughter in hospital, but I’m freezing cold and bursting for the toilet.”
The court heard she recognised his Newcastle accent and let him in.
He asked for a cup of tea to warm up, then said “my missus” and went to take a call. He did not come back.
Mr Evans said: “She went into the living-room and felt for her bag.”
The woman discovered her handbag had been moved and her purse had been taken.
She spoke to the pastor and he reported the incident to the police.
Kelly was arrested on January 2 at the Five Bells pub in Bridgend. He was cautioned and replied: “I don’t know what you’re on about.”
When he was interviewed, he admitted being at the film night, but denied giving his name as Dave and said he had never been to the victim’s house.
Prosecutors said he had 20 previous offences on his record, including 17 for theft-related offending.
Mr Evans suggested aggravating features included the vulnerability of the victim and the fact she was deliberately targeted in her home.
Kelly was in breach of a suspended sentence – 12 months, suspended for 24 months – imposed for attempted burglary in July 2018.
Kelly, 38, from Waun Newydd in Bridgend, admitted burglary, in breach of a suspended sentence.
Robert Chudleigh, defending, said his client was “deeply apologetic” and is now having bereavement counselling and treatment for alcohol abuse.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Paul Thomas QC said: “She trusted you. You abused that trust and kindness and used the opportunity to steal her handbag.”
He noted Kelly had previous convictions in Newcastle, Kent and the Isle of Wight.
Judge Thomas said: “That may have been something to do with your lifestyle, or it may be you are a professional burglar.
“I do not think you need me to tell you that for any subsequent dwellinghouse burglaries the sentences will go up and up and up. You will find yourself an elderly man who has spent most of his life in custody.”
Kelly was jailed for five years.
Following sentencing, officer in the case DC Parry said: “Kelly very clearly sought out a place where he knew he would meet generous and trusting people and deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman.”