A "predator on the vulnerable" targeted the home of a man with severe learning difficulties who was still grieving the death of his mother.
Alexander Wright made his way into the home on October 15, 2019 as part of a "targeted" burglary.
The 39-year-old stole £80 from a tin in cupboard in the upstairs of the property before stealing more money from the man's wallet, Teeside Live reported.
Wright, of Whitton Crescent, Darlington, was sentenced for burglary when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court via link from HMP Durham.
Wright had a number of previous convictions for similar offences which involved targeting elderly or vulnerable people and "pretend to provide gardening services" for them, according to Paul Reid, prosecuting.
The court heard that on October 15, 2019, Wright went to the vulnerable man's Darlington home after previously making other visits.
It was then that Wright was told by the man, who has "severe learning difficulties", that his mother had recently passed away.
The court heard that the man had a carer, but they were not present in the home at the time.
Wright then "pushed passed him and entered" the address, where he "immediately established he was alone".
He then "forced" the victim to hand over money from a cupboard upstairs.
Recorder Simon Jackson QC said Wright did this despite knowing "he was still sad from the death of his mother the previous week".
Ian West, defending, said although Wright had previous convictions for similar offences, he hadn't been convicted of any offences since 2016.
The court heard Wright had been jailed in 2013 for offences of burglary and another prison sentence in 2012 for a "series of false representations".
Recorder Jackson QC called Wright a "predator on the vulnerable" and jailed him for three years and nine months.
