Bingo buddy to brazen thief
BURGLAR STOLE FROM 91-YEAR-OLD LADY
A DESPICABLE bingo-playing burglar brazenly fleeced a vulnerable 91-yearold dementia patient right under her nose.
Cruel Irene Robinson, 60, was caught on camera stealing from the frail victim at sheltered accommodation in the West End of Newcastle.
Police had installed covert cameras at the victim’s flat after money began going missing.
She was described in court as “easily confused, forgetful and far too trusting” and relied on carers going in three times a day to help her.
And on viewing the footage they realised Robinson, who knew the victim from bingo, was the unlikely thief.
Now Robinson, of Frosterley Place, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle, who had no previous convictions, has been given a suspended prison sentence and put on a year-long curfew after she admitted two counts of burglary.
Sentencing her at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Sarah Mallett said: “The CCTV shows you stealing from her purse as she’s stood right in front of you.
“She was an extremely vulnerable victim and this is a despicable offence. You targeted her because of her vulnerability.”
The court heard the victim was living at Iris Steadman House, in Arthur’s Hill, when the offences took place.
Her carers noticed money was disappearing at the beginning of March then on March 18, a further £70 was stolen from her purse.
A warden had noticed a woman – Robinson – going to the victim’s flat and challenged her.
Prosecutor Jessica Slaughter said Robinson claimed she was the pensioner’s best friend but left, before returning to steal the cash.
Then, on March 25, a further £80 was stolen from the flat.
Miss Slaughter said: “By this time, police had installed covert cameras inside her home.
“They left four marked £20 notes so the police could trace who was taking the money and the money was put inside her purse.”
Robinson attended around 4.45pm and left shortly afterwards.
When she was stopped and searched, she was found to be in possession of the four notes the police had planted.
Miss Slaughter said: “The covert footage showed her taking money from the purse while stood right next to her in the living room.”
The victim’s carer said in a victim impact statement: “She is a very vulnerable person who should not be exploited due to her age and disability and is entitled to care and help.
“No one should be targeted in this way.”
The warden at the sheltered accommodation added: “I can’t believe someone would deliberately target such a vulnerable and lovely elderly lady.
Robinson pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary and was sentenced to two years suspended for two years with a 12-month night-time curfew and a mental health treatment requirement.
Paul Cross, defending, said: “The reality is the defendant is pretty vulnerable herself.
“This was not a total stranger, she knew this lady from the bingo. This is a lady of 60 years of age with no previous convictions and her own problems.
“She has a mild learning disability.”