A THIRD-STRIKE burglar, with a history of preying on elderly victims, has been jailed for his latest sneak-in dwelling crime.

Colin Anthony Quinn took a purse from a house occupied by a dementia sufferer who was unaware she had been the victim of the crime for several days.

Durham Crown Court was told the house targeted by the defendant, in Ferryhill, belonged to two elderly sisters who lived together.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said one of the sisters was in hospital at the time of the offence, on Sunday January 23.

Mr Pettengell said the other elderly occupant, her sister, is a dementia sufferer, who was at home at the time, but who was unaware of what had taken place.

Quinn was seen on CCTV entering the property and taking a purse.

Mr Pettengell said the victim only realised her purse was missing days later and told her nephew, who provides help in looking after her.

He, then, viewed the CCTV footage covering the home and saw what happened.

It led to the arrest of Quinn a short time later.

Mr Pettengell said the victim believed she may have had up to £1,000 in cash and notes in her purse, but she was unable to recall the exact amount taken.

Appearing at a plea hearing at the court, via video link to nearby Durham Prison, where he has been on recall, the 41-year-old defendant, of Osborne Terrace, Ferryhill, admitted a charge of burglary of a dwelling, including theft.

His past record was said to include offences where he portrayed himself as a handyman, offering to do odd jobs for householders, including the elderly.

The court heard that following his arrest he was recalled to prison to serve the unserved part of a previous prison sentence.

Read more: Ferryhill fraudster's crime spree included stealing from elderly man

Amrit Jandoo, in mitigation, described Quinn, a forklift truck driver, as, “a hard worker” and said he had just come off a shift when the offence took place.

Mr Jandoo said if supported by the Probation Service, the defendant could be rehabilitated within the community.

But Judge James Adkin imposed a three-year sentence as a starting point for the third-strike burglar, reducing it by four months to reflect his guilty plea, making the final sentence one of two years and eight months custody.

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