Northumberland drug addict repeatedly preyed on kind-hearted dementia sufferer
Lindsay Collier, of Blyth, befriended the pensioner then stole from her when she went to make her a cup of tea before targeting her home two further times
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA cruel drug addict repeatedly preyed on a kind-hearted dementia sufferer in despicable offences.
Lindsay Collier encountered and befriended the victim, who is in her 70s, on April 10 this year and the trusting pensioner invited her back to her home. When she went to make her guest a cup of tea, callous Collier went straight to her handbag and stole her money - prosecutors say it was £400 while Collier claimed it was £40.
The following night, the thief snuck back into the victim's home while she was out but her son was there. He was alerted by his wife, who had spotted Collier breaking in on CCTV.
Having been arrested and bailed by magistrates, with conditions including an exclusion zone around the victim's home, Collier targeted her again on March 30. Wearing a mask to disguise her identity, she tried to burgle the home again but failed, although she did disturb the victim, who heard her trying to get in the door.
The victim's son said in a statement read to the court that his dad was very poorly in hospital at the time of the burglary and theft. He added: "I felt vulnerable and scared of what she might do or who else she might take to prey on my parents because she knows how vulnerable they were."
He said it was after the burglary that he check CCTV more closely and noticed Collier had stolen from his mum the day before. He added: "I felt sick and couldn't believe someone would steal from a vulnerable elderly lady like that.
"I feel constantly on edge because I know she lives close to my parents. My mother always sees the best in people but this has massively knocked her confidence to go out as often as she did."
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Collier, 47, of Princess Louise Road, Blyth, who has 13 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to theft, burglary, attempted burglary and possessing cocaine. Collier, who was on a community order and a conditional discharge at the time, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Lorraine Mustard, defending, said: "She recognises she's got a problem with drugs. She trying desperately to move away from this lifestyle.
"She is ashamed of herself. She had enough empathy to know this lady ought to feel safe in her home."
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