A heartless thug who preyed on a vulnerable 87-year-old woman by befriending her and stealing her valuables has been jailed.
Paul Tainton, of Lerwick Close, manipulated the elderly woman into thinking he was a friend between May 1 to May 6 this year.
After the 39-year-old had befriended her, he stole a number of items from her home in Abbey Bridge, Dunkirk, including a purse, cash, jewellery and alcohol.
However on May 6, after a concerned neighbour spotted Tainton entering and leaving the woman's property, they alerted nearby police officers, chased him down and detained him until they arrived.
He was subsequently arrested and was found to be carrying the woman's valuables.
Tainton appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, October 31, and was found guilty after a three-day trial.
He was jailed for six-and-a-half years and received an additional four months after being found guilty of a charge of battery, from when he was detained by the neighbour, and breaching a suspended sentence order.
PC Michael Love, of Nottinghamshire Police’s city burglary team, added: "Tainton preyed on a vulnerable woman, befriending her and entering her home a number of times before stealing her property.
"I’m pleased for the victim and her family that Tainton is now behind bars and off our streets.
"Burglary is a priority for Nottinghamshire Police, with dedicated burglary teams now focused on tackling and reducing burglary in the city and county.
"We want to reassure the people of Nottinghamshire that we will continue to pursue those committing burglaries and remain committed to catching those responsible and bringing them to justice."
