A “PARIAH” who took savings from an unwell elderly man after posing as a Good Samaritan was yesterday jailed for three years.

Durham Crown Court heard that the health of the victim, 89-year-old Bernard McEleavey, deteriorated after the offence, on October 15, and he died on January 22, having rarely ventured out in the last few months of his life.

The court was told 48-yearold Robert Shutt appeared to come to the aid of Mr McEleavey when he fell ill at their local pub, the Langley Park Hotel, in Langley Park, County Durham.

He drove Mr McEleavey to his home in the village, and, as a thank-you, was invited in for a can of beer.

Jane Mitford, prosecuting, said that, during 45 minutes in the house drinking the beer, Shutt paid several visits to the toilet.

But after he left, Mr McEleavey discovered all but £30 of £1,000 kept in a bedside cabinet, plus some other change, was missing.

He reported it to police and Shutt was arrested, but denied responsibility, trying to account for his fingerprints on the remaining notes by saying he handed over Mr McEleavey’s change earlier in the pub.

But when the landlord said this was not the case, Shutt made admissions and told police he felt ashamed as he considered Mr McEleavey a friend.

Miss Mitford read a statement made by Mr McEleavey before his death, saying he felt betrayed by a man he trusted as a friend.

A subsequent statement from Mr McEleavey’s daughter, Linda Robertson, said her father failed to cope well “emotionally or physically”

after the incident, and appeared to have given up, losing all confidence.

She said her father felt angry at being taken in by Shutt, and it left him feeling vulnerable and powerless.

Following his funeral, on Tuesday, Mrs Robertson said she was angry her father failed to see justice dispensed.

Shutt, of Church Street, Langley Park, admitted burglary at a previous hearing.

The court heard he has a long record, featuring 103 offences dating back to 1977.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said Shutt feels genuine remorse and had shed tears over the death of a man he thought of as a friend, who had taught him how to play pool.

Mr Davis said Shutt bitterly regrets his actions and added that he “succumbed to temptation”

as he had a pressing debt.

Jailing him, Recorder Andrew Kelbrick told Shutt: “The offence you committed is a dreadful one and you are said to be locally regarded as ‘a pariah’.

“Well, you are and so you should be.”