Jail for theft from blind woman, 77

A "menace to society" heroin addict who sneaked into a blind pensioner's kitchen and stole her handbag has been locked up for more than three-and-a-half years.

A day after breaking into the home of 77-year-old June Archer in Tividale, Mark Nock burgled the house of his ex-girlfriend's mother, getting away with jewellery valued at more than £1,000, three passports and £240 in cash.

Mrs Archer had just returned to her home in Raby Close from a hospital appointment for her ailing eyesight when Nock stole her handbag, which contained her buss pass, cash and credit cards.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said: "Mrs Archer was making a meal with her son Colin in the kitchen when she left her handbag on the worktop.

"While they were both watching TV in the lounge, Colin saw a shadow in the kitchen and chased the defendant."

The burglary happened at 7.30pm on September 12 last year.

At 9.30pm the next day, Nock, 36, of Jasmine Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, broke into the home of 48-year-old Katrina Pritchard in Beech Road, Warley.

Mr Searle added: "She unlocked the door to let the dogs out, and that's how the defendant gained access.

"She heard movements in the kitchen and later realised her bag had been stolen.

"Mrs Pritchard had known the defendant for 18 years, and he'd also had a relationship with her daughter."

Nock, who has a long criminal record, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary.

Yesterday, he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for the two burglaries and two months for breaching a previous court order.

Mr Shane Crawford, defending, said the crimes were opportunistic rather than targeted and Nock's life had been blighted for many years by an addiction to heroin.

Recorder Michael Stephens said: "It is stating the obvious to say these things but you are a persistent burglar and a menace to society.

"You are chronically addicted to drugs; that is the tragedy of your life."