A MOTHER who robbed a ‘vulnerable’ and ‘timid’ man in his home has been locked up for five and a half years.

Heroin drug addict Catherine Nicholson was sentenced yesterday at Preston Crown Court after targeting the man in his bedsit, at Shadsworth House Hostel, in Dunoon Drive, Blackburn on December 17 last year.

The 48-year-old, who had previously stayed at the hostel, entered through the hostel’s main building after hearing a rumour that one of the men had a substantial amount of cash.

Nicholson brazenly knocked on her victim’s door shortly after 6am and when he opened it forced her way passed him.

Once she was in the room, she helped herself to his mobile phone, £170 in cash, plus a number of DVD’s, CD’s and videos.

Nicholson, of Glenluce Crescent, Blackburn pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars.

DC Paul Davies, of Blackburn CID lead the investigation, he said: “I think that the severity of this sentence reflects the nature of this crime.

“Nicholson deliberately targeted a vulnerable and timid man after hearing he may of being storing some cash.

“She had prior knowledge of Shadsworth House Hostel after previously being a tenant there herself and used this to seek out her victim.

“She openly knocked on his door and forced her way in before helping herself to his belongings.

“The man was left really shaken by the incident.”

Nicholson, who admitted she stole the money to fund her ongoing heroin habit, was initially charged alongside her partner Sean Entwistle.

However, Mr Entwistle was acquitted at an earlier hearing.