Brazen Halifax burglar stole handbag while 88-year-old woman rested on her bed

Bradford Crown Court heard today (Tues) that 53-year-old Neville Elliott had about 20 burglary offences on his appalling record and had targeted the homes of pensioners in the past.

Prosecutor Emma Downing said Elliott had been given jail terms of 48 months and 54 months in 2012 and 2015 for similar offending, including one burglary when he had pretended to be a police officer to steal £400 from the home of a 67-year-old victim.

In August last year Elliott came in through the front door of the pensioner’s home as she was resting on her bed and she saw him walk past her bedroom door to grab her handbag from the living room.

Miss Downing said Elliott then walked back out of the property with the handbag which contained the victim’s glasses, keys and a purse containing £5.

Elliott was linked to the crime after CCTV footage captured walked away from the scene with the handbag and purse and he was late identified by a police officer.

In a victim impact statement the elderly woman described how she felt very poorly after the incident and was angry at what had happened.

“I should be safe in my own home and noone should come inside,” she said.

A tearful Elliott, of Beekshaw Terrace, Halifax, was sentenced via a video link to HMP Leeds and his barrister Abdul Shakoor said his client was very upset about his predicament.

In a letter written by Elliott he offered his sincere apologies to the victim and said he held his head in shame.

Elliott made a plea for mercy and leniency in his letter, but Judge Jonathan Rose said there was no scope for any measure of that.

The judge said the court could not help but conclude that Elliott targeted elderly victims who were entitled to the security and safety of their homes.

He said such people were entitled not to be disturbed by a “villain” like Elliott sneaking in and frightening them.

“Your tears today indicate you are very upset at your predicament,” said the judge.

“That is as nothing compared to the 88-year-old lady whose home you violated as you have done in the past.”