A woman burgled an elderly woman's warden controlled flat and stole her purse and sentimental jewellery in order to pay off her drug debt.
Gemma Anderson had already burgled one home and left empty handed before she went on to burgle an 89-year-old woman's flat on March 29, this year. The 38-year-old stole valuable items from the "particularly vulnerable" woman's home, which had a "significant impact upon her".
Anderson, of North View, Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for burglary.
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Michael Cahill, prosecuting, said Anderson went to the Chapel Hill Road area of Peterlee on the morning of March 29 and began her offending. He said while on the road she was trying door handles of homes, until eventually she entered a bungalow at around 9.30am while the occupants were inside. Despite being "unchallenged", Anderson left the address empty handed.
Mr Cahill said she then went to a nearby street, which contained warden controlled accommodation. She then entered a block of flats and made her way into the flat of an 89-year-old woman who was also at home at the time. Anderson stole the pensioner's purse and "sentimental jewellery" before leaving. She was arrested a short time later.
Marte Alnaes, defending, said Anderson has "massive issues with drugs" but said she has since "taken steps to address this". She said there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" and that she had stayed clean since the offences were committed. Ms Alnaes added that she pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and said there was a low risk of re-offending.
Sentencing Anderson, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said she was "intent on committing burglary to pay of a drugs debt". He said the victim of the burglary was "particularly vulnerable" and said the incident had had a "significant impact upon her".
Anderson was jailed for two years and four months.
Temporary Detective Inspector, Darren Wild, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Criminals like Anderson plague our communities with their repeat offending to fund their illegal drug habits and often target the most vulnerable, so we are pleased to see her back behind bars. This case shows how much the use of illegal drugs can harm not only the user but other members of our communities and we will not stop in targeting the drug dealers who orchestrate these offenders.”
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