A BURGLAR who shed ‘crocodile’ tears as he was jailed for targeting a vulnerable pensioner in his own home has been branded ‘scum of the earth’.

William Olding has been left too scared to leave his home after the ‘diabolical’ crime left him severely traumatised at a time when he was still grieving for the loss of his wife.

Davey Jones was sentenced to two years and eight months after admitting he stole £560 from the 90-year-old in a ‘diabolical’ crime after tricking his way into his home.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Olding’s daughter, Denise Battye, said her father was no longer the same man following his ordeal.

The 64-year-old blasted Jones for shedding ‘crocodile’ tears throughout the hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

“He has not shown a single bit of remorse what he has done to my father – he is the scum of the earth,” she said.

“He obviously targeted my father who is now too scared to leave his house in case something like this happens again. He used to sit outside and chat to people but now all his neighbours are asking me if he is ok as they never see him anymore.”

Mr Olding’s grandson, Martin Battye, added: “We all know that he was just shedding crocodile tears but the judge was having none of it. If he had just asked him for some money, my grandad would have just given him some – that’s the kind of man he is.”

The court heard Jones attended the man’s house on Neasham Road, in Darlington, in August 8 claiming to be a window cleaner.

After cleaning the windows with a watering can, he then asked the victim if he could change some money for him, which he agreed to do.

Jones followed the pensioner into his bungalow and snatched his wallet out of his hand before fleeing on his bike.

CCTV images of the suspect were posted on social media and the defendant’s former partner contacted police to pass on Jones’s name as she was so angry at his behaviour, Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told the court.

Chris Morrison, mitigating, told the court that the defendant had written a letter to the family to express his remorse.

Reading from the letter, Mr Morrison said: "I have been thinking about my actions and can truly say that I am remorseful for this. I hope you can forgive me for this."

However, members of Mr Olding's family who were in the court were barely able to conceal their contempt as one said 'we will never forgive you'.

The 29-year-old, of Pateley Moor Crescent, was jailed for two years and eight months and ordered to pay £181 victim surcharge which the judge ordered to be paid to Mr Olding.

Judge Howard Crowson said: "That you feel ashamed is understandable, and rightly so, as this was a diabolical offence.

"The family clearly do not accept your apology and believe you are just shedding crocodile tears."