A DRUG addict who stole cash from a 74-year-old Parkinson’s Disease sufferer on his own doorstep has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Toni Walker, 25, left her vulnerable victim, who has four carers a day to look after him, very distressed.

The victim told neighbours and helpers what had happened and police were called, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Walker, who has 35 offences on her criminal record, knew the man and had asked to borrow money.

The defendant, of Chequers, Clayton-le-Moors, who had originally been charged with robbery, admitted theft.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Walker asked the pensioner if she could borrow £10.

He took out his wallet, the defendant took it from him, took £10 to borrow, but then helped herself to further notes.

The victim had about £75 or £80 in his wallet and it was not clear how much was taken.

He reported the theft to people in his street and his carers and was in a state of extreme distress.

Miss Statham said: “The victim is vulnerable because of his age. He suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and has carers visiting his house four times a day.”

Martin Hackett, for Walker, said she had long standing drug problems and accepted she needed one bag of heroin possibly every three weeks.

She had been on a methadone reduction programme for three months.

The barrister said: "She feels she relapses when she is under pressure.”

Judge Beverley Lunt told Walker: “This isn't the first time you have stolen from somebody in this sneaky way, but this particular offence was very mean.

“He was going to lend you money, but you took more out of his wallet.

"It was a gross breach of trust. The last time you got a community order you breached it 13 times. There is no prospect of you abiding by an order.”