Calderdale woman pinned vulnerable widower to the floor in his own home to steal £10

Drug-user Cheryl Thompson, who has nearly 40 previous convictions on her record, admitted being involved in the early evening attack which happened on June 2.

In July Thompson’s co-defendant Kimberley Booth, 41, of Woodlands Avenue, Halifax, was locked up for four years after she pleaded guilty to the robbery allegation and the same judge handed down a 41-month jail term to Thompson.

Bradford Crown Court heard how the pair had forced their way into the man’s home before he was pinned down and a wallet containing just £10 and a leisure pass was taken from his pocket.

Prosecutor Gareth Henderson-Moore said the robbery had been a joint enterprise offence and Thompson had been a “willing and active” participant.

In a victim impact statement the complainant described how he had now taken additional security measures at his home and the attack had caused him “untold nightmares”.

Barrister Abigail Langford, for Thompson, of Maude Crescent, Sowerby Bridge, said her client had had a number of personal difficulties in her life and the loss of a child had been a catalyst for her drug taking.

She submitted that Booth had played the leading role in the offence, but it was conceded that the robbery had been a joint enterprise offence.

Judge Jonathan Rose said he accepted that Booth had been the leading light, but he pointed out that Thompson was not a child or a foolish teenager being led astray.

He said the victim had still been mourning the loss of his wife and the two women had been involved in a violent struggle with him.