A WOMAN who tricked her way into a vulnerable 85-year-old man's Croydon home and stole more than £1,200 has been jailed.
Rochelle Palmer, 25, called at the victim's flat, a sheltered housing complex in Eden Road, Croydon, on December 11 last year and asked to use the toilet.
Once inside she asked for a coffee but, while the man was in the kitchen, she stole his bank cards, two rings and £85 in cash.
Later that evening she used the bank cards to withdraw £500 and make purchases totalling £440.
On December 21, Palmer returned to the man's flat and when the front door was opened she pushed the pensioner causing him to fall.
She then stole £180 in cash from a coffee table.
Palmer was linked to the scene by forensic investigators and CCTV footage from the area showed her withdrawing money and using the victim's credit card.
She was arrested at her home address on December 26.
Palmer, of Oakfield Road, Croydon, pleaded guilty to theft, fraud by false representation and robbery at Croydon Crown Court yesterday (February 5) and was jailed for 16 months.
Detective Constable Robert Jamieson, from Croydon Police's CID, said: "This was a cowardly crime, targeting and attacking an 85-year-old man in his own home resulting in the victim losing £1205 and his rings.
"Palmer initially denied stealing the bank cards, however once shown the overwhelming CCTV and forensic evidence against her she had no option other than to plead guilty to the offences."
