A CONMAN who stole from two women in their 80s has been jailed for nearly two years.

Judge Christopher Prince told Dean Kenyon his crimes were despicable and mean and he fully deserved his prison term, which totalled 23 months.

Kenyon stole a total of £210 from pensioners aged 80 and 84 after doing odd jobs for them, Durham Crown Court heard today (Friday, August 8).

Kenyon committed two thefts last September while he was doing some building work, prosecutor Adrian Strong said.

He stole £40 from his 84-year-old victim’s handbag on September 14 and £80 six days later, along with a bank card which he twice tried to use to withdraw cash.

The final offence took place in Seaham on May 24.

The day before, Kenyon had cut an 80-year-old woman’s lawn, for which he was paid £20.

But he returned the following day, struck up a conversation about Steven Spielberg films and stole the pensioner’s £90 weekly living expenses while she was distracted.

Kenyon told the woman he had brought her a DVD and was allowed into her home.

He then stole from her handbag while she was in the kitchen making him a cup of tea.

In a letter read out in court, the woman said she had never felt so sickened in all her life and now feels insecure in her own home.

She blacked out a few days after the theft and needed hospital treatment, the court was told.

After the theft, the woman’s eight-year-old granddaughter immediately took to Facebook and helped the police identify Kenyon.

Kenyon, of Parkside Crescent, Seaham, initially claimed the pensioner had given him the money but he later pleaded guilty to theft.

Ian Hudson, mitigating, said Kenyon had made up his cover story and was deeply ashamed of his actions.

However, Judge Prince said he absolutely rejected Kenyon’s claims of remorse, saying he had told the police a pack of lies.

Kenyon was previously given a suspended sentence for the September offences, of six months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Kenyon had completed the required 80 hours on unpaid work.

However, Judge Prince activated the sentence, adding three months to the 20-month term he handed down for the later theft.

Kenyon shouted and struggled as he was taken down to the cells, causing security guards to briefly raise the alarm.