A DRUG addict who preyed on Darlington's pensioners to feed her heroin habit was jailed for two years yesterday.

Josie Currie, 21, told a 75-year-old neighbour that she was a social worker, when she forced her way into his home around midnight and stole £50 in cash, said Sarah Mallett, prosecuting.

But the man caught her searching his living room and shouted for her to get out. She stole £50 from his trouser pockets and three sets of sheets.

A fortnight earlier she stole a pensioner's purse containing £25 after helping her to put her shopping into a car.

On another occasion, she walked a friend to a bus stop, then returned and burgled her home.

Currie had also been caught on security TV cameras stealing collecting boxes for children and animal charities, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Two hours after a Darlington shop assistant's handbag was stolen, Currie was using her cheques and she ran up a bill of £270 at four stores, buying cigarettes and phone cards.

Dan Cordey, defending, said that she told him before going into court: "I've no excuse or anything. I'm disgusted with myself".

Judge Leslie Spittle told her: "Taking advantage of the vulnerability of an old man was a despicable offence.

"Nobody is safe from your depredations, whether it is a charity for the benefit of children, your selfish demands take over. It's no comfort to those who have suffered at your hands that you are on drugs.

"The public needs a rest from you."

Currie of Malvern Crescent, Darlington, was jailed for two years after she pleaded guilty to two burglaries, handling stolen goods, four offences of obtaining by deception, and one attempted deception, all committed in May.