A WOMAN has been jailed for befriending older men before stealing from them.

Tina Dhaleewal, 45, of Havelock Road, Southall, was found guilty by a jury of forging two cheques belonging to a 92-year-old man for sums of £1,000 and £2,000 at Isleworth Crown Court.

Dhaleewal, who was told she should "be ashamed of herself", was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday.

Richard Bentwood, prosecuting, told the jury Dhaleewal met the 92yearold, in the Cuckoo and Rainbow pub in Acton and went home with him.

Mr Bentwood told the court: "He went to have an afternoon nap and when he woke up he found her lying beside him in bed with just her underwear on.

"Effectively, she remained at the flat until her arrest on January 14."

The court heard that during that period Dhaleewal accompanied the pensioner to the Woolwich Building Society to make two withdrawals of £500 from his account and to the Post Office for a withdrawal of £1,000.

On a second visit to the Bollo Bridge Road Post Office, when she repeatedly referred to him as Grandad, staff alerted police, the court heard.

Dhaleewal was cleared of other charges relating to her "friendship" with the old man, including the theft of his late wife's wedding ring and his retirement gold watch both of which she was wearing when arrested. He was unable to clearly remember events relating to those items.

Dhaleewal, however, claimed the watch, ring and cheques made out to her were gifts. She also admitted robbing another pensioner of £40 after physically spinning him round to make him disorientated, the jury heard. She was already on bail for the other offence when she befriended the other man who was also elderly and confused.

Jason Sugarman, mitigating, said Dhaleewal no longer had anything to do with older men.

Judge McDowall, sentencing, said these were "despicable offences of which she should be ashamed."

April 30, 2003 15:30