A BURNLEY bus driver befriended a confused elderly passenger before stealing her £29,000 life savings.

David Jowett, 64, met spinster Lilllian Tempest after she would ride around Burnley on his bus on her free pass every day as she was lonely.

Miss Tempest, a regular at Haggate Baptist Chapel, invited Jowett around to her home for a cup of tea and he lied to her, claiming he was in debt.

The defendant stole the cash as the once independent and frugal 70-year-old descended into dementia five years ago and blew it on cruises and other holidays.

The victim, said to have never had a partner and to distrust men, has since died, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Former bus driver Jowett, now of Fourth Avenue, Goole, had earlier admitted six counts of theft and was jailed for 21 months.

Sentencing, Recorder Maurice Greene told him it was quite clear Miss Tempest's health had been deteriorating, he knew it and he had taken advantage of the vulnerable pensioner.

The judge said: "I am of the view you were entirely motivated by greed. These were mean offences and the grossest breach of the trust she had placed in you."

David Macro, prosecuting, said Miss Tempest died last December after an investigation into the offences started.

Before 2002, the victim enjoyed regular contact with family and friends and was a keen member of Haggate Baptist Chapel. She was frugal and neither borrowed money nor lent it.

Mr Macro said in December 2001, she became withdrawn, would not answer the door or phone and stopped attending chapel. She was later placed in a nursing home after dementia was diagnosed.

Miss Tempest's cousin was appointed receiver for the victim's affairs in December 2003 and could find no financial documents in the house.

She and her sister contacted the police and it was found £29,000 had been withdrawn from Miss Tempest's Abbey bank account in six transactions. It had all gone to the defendant, who paid cheques into his own account.

The minister from Haggate Baptist Chapel knew she had got friendly with a bus driver and Jowett was arrested last November.

Mr Macro said the defendant accepted he told Miss Tempest he had debts and claimed she had offered to give him money to help him out.

He said she had given him about £6,000, but no more. The defendant later admitted having all the money and accepted he had not used it to pay off debts.

Jowett told police he was disgusted with himself and added: "It's just greed, I suppose."

He said the victim had wanted to give him the money, he took advantage but he had not set out to get cash off her. Jowett had no previous convictions.

Laura Barbour, defending, said Jowett was deeply ashamed and embarrassed. Miss Tempest would give him sweets and chocolate and they struck up a friendship.

She spoke of him fondly and he had taken advantage of her kindness.

The barrister added: "He accepts it was wrong to take that money. He accepts it was wrong to tell her he had debts. He accepts had he not lied to her she wouldn't have given him this money. They are despicable offences and he knows that."