Jail terms may bring measure of comfort

It is often said that there is no such thing as a victimless crime. While that is true, there are at least some criminal endeavours which have less of a direct impact on individuals than others.

For example, a sophisticated fraud carried out against a big business does not often result in any lasting physical or emotional damage for any particularly vulnerable individuals.

At the other end of the scale, however, there are crimes heinously targeted specifically against the most vulnerable members of society.

Today we report on the brother and sister jailed after they admitted conning their way into the homes of a series of women in their 90s to steal cash.

Evelyn and John McPhee carefully targeted their victims, including a blind 93-year-old.

Firstly gaining the trust of the elderly people in question, they went on to steal bank cards and cash.

It is hard to imagine a more callous, heartless crime. Sadly, it may be too much to hope that the pair responsible feel any great sense of shame, but at least they have now been brought to justice.

It is to be hoped their helpless victims, who will no doubt have paid a heavy psychological price, can at least take some comfort in news the evil siblings are now safely behind bars.