A JUDGE decided against triggering a suspended prison sentence on a thief who targeted vulnerable people in their homes to fund her amphetamine habit.

Preston Crown Court heard Anita Talbot, 45, stole cash and bank cards from her victims after sneaking into their homes in Blackburn and Darwen.

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Prosecuting Stephen Parker told the court Talbot, of Brookhouse Lane, Blackburn, knew her first victim, although she didn’t manage to get into his Darwen home on July 6.

Mr Parker said: “The complainant knew the defendant. He is 88-years-of-age. He was in his house when he saw the defendant’s face at his kitchen window.

“As he went to the window he noticed she had some form of tool in her hand and was trying to force open the door. He went outside and shouted for her to clear off which she did.”

The court heard that the following day Talbot targeted the Blackburn home of Karen Schofield, who she met when they had their children at the same hospital.

Mr Parker said: “They weren’t friends and had not stayed in touch with each other. They had bumped into each other in a supermarket two weeks earlier and struck up conversation.”

The court heard Talbot made an unannounced visit to her victim’s house and while there stole bankcards from Mrs Schofield’s handbag and £50 in cash.

The final offence was committed in Sunnybank Road, Blackburn, on July 17.

The court heard Talbot knocked on the elderly female victim’s door. Mr Parker said she told the victim she had been at her neighbour’s house and left her handbag inside.

The victim went next door and spoke to her neighbour who said she did not know the defendant and she had never been in her house, the court heard.

When the victim returned she found Talbot had stolen her purse, containing £80 and bank cards. She then used the cards to withdraw £300.

Talbot pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, one theft and one attempted burglary.

After hearing that she had been engaging with probation and rehab to help with her amphetamine addiction, Judge Andrew Woolman decided to impose a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Woolman said: “It’s clear your life had fallen to pieces in the last few years to some extent. You became addicted to amphetamines. You committed these offences to fund your drug habit.”