Teenager who conned pensioner not locked up

10:40am Friday 29th August 2008

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A TEENAGER who posed as a schoolgirl to con a pensioner was caught after she left behind a form giving the address of a family member.

Woolwich Crown Court heard last Wednesday (August 27), how Rebecca Hay targeted 93-year-old Nancy Holland at her home in Plumstead, on February 12.

The 19-year-old claimed she was collecting cash for a project to provide access on buses for elderly people in wheelchairs.

After claiming she needed the toilet, she entered Mrs Holland's home and snatched a purse containing £50 before running out of the house, and leaving a sponsorship form behind.

But detectives were able to track her down because she had included one of her family members as a sponsor on the form with a full address.

Hay, of Woodhill, Woolwich, pleaded guilty to burglary and obtaining property by deception.

She has previous convictions for similar attacks on vulnerable homeowners in 2005 and 2006.

But Recorder Mr Alan Saggerson gave her a nine month sentence suspended for two years.

He said: "This burglary was a nasty and mean offence that involved stealing from a 93-year-old lady, the consequences of which don't even begin to cross your mind.

"Both of these offences are plainly so serious that only a custodial sentence can possibly be justified.

"However, I am going to suspend the sentence, firstly because of your age and also because the Probation Service is able to offer some positive courses.

"If you commit any offences during the course of the next two years or break any of the conditions you will be brought back to court and sentenced to nine months detention."

Hay, who had been on conditional bail, left the court apparently in tears.

The court heard Hay stopped going to school at the age of 13, left home at 14 and has never had a job.