A MAN who preyed on vulnerable old victims including a blind family friend in order to finance his drug habit is facing jail.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Colin Lee Fairbrother, 23, of Chestnut Walk, Blackburn, befriended an elderly lady and on three occasions used that friendship so he could steal cash.

The court was told that Fairbrother and his former partner also altered and photocopied Social Services vouchers to obtain property worth £135 from Morrisons and Tesco.

Fairbrother pleaded guilty to stealing £17.80 from Ernest Millward, burglary at a house in Blackburn and theft of a TV meter and £24 in cash and two charges of obtaining property by deception.

Fairbrother asked for four offences to be taken into consideration and was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentence after the magistrates ruled that their powers of 12 months imprisonment were insufficient.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said that Mr Millward was totally blind and his wife, Anne, was only partially sighted. Both know Fairbrother because they have been friends of his family for many years. The day before the theft offence Mr Millward had loaned Fairbrother £10 after he said his child had been rushed into hospital.

"He promised to return the money the following day but did not have it when he went round in the morning," said Ms Worsley.

She said Mrs Millward invited Fairbrother in and took him into the kitchen and made him a cup of tea. They were joined by Mr Millward who Fairbrother told he would get the £10 off his father later in the day and return it. At some stage Fairbrother left the room and when Mr Millward checked his jeans pocket later there was money missing. Three offences to be taken into consideration involved Catherine Caddens who Ms Worsley said was an elderly lady who lived on her own.

The burglary was committed at the home of a Mr Raymond Lockett who suffers from angina and diabetes. He found the house had been forcibly entered and the TV meter stolen.

Daniel King, defending, said Fairbrother comes from a good family and his parents were deeply distressed and embarrassed especially because they know some of the victims.

He said Fairbrother got involved with a young lady with a heroin problem and he developed the same problem.

"They got into severe financial difficulties to the extent that they were being threatened, threats were being made against their child and they were eventually hounded out of their home," said Mr King.