Burnley thief preyed on 89-year-old
5:00pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News
Afsir Khan
A ‘DESPICABLE’ addict who targets the elderly when he needs drugs cash has been jailed for five years after an 89-year-old woman became his latest victim.
Burnley Crown Court heard how serial burglar Afsir Khan, 21, entered the pensioner’s Brierfield home uninvited, demanded cash, and then helped himself to her purse after she refused.
Khan, who was on licence from a three-and-a-half-year jail term for similar offences, had earlier conned the victim out of £20 by claiming he was collecting sponsorship money. He had ‘assessed’ her, and then deliberately targeted her to get more money.
Khan was said to be nonchalant, dismissive, and uncaring about what he had done, and to have smirked when interviewed by police and the probation service.
Khan, of Ormerod Road, Burnley, admitted burglary and fraud.
Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the victim suffered from chronic arthritis, struggled to walk, and had other ailments.
After taking the £20 in early May, he returned on May 26, as the victim was waiting for her lunch to be delivered, and took £80 from her purse.
Khan was sent to prison in August 2010 for two burglaries and frauds, with offences to be considered. He was released on January 10 this year, but had since been recalled. Mark Stuart, for Khan, said the offence was drug-related. Khan had started taking cannabis and then bubble.
The barrister said: “Because he had got £20 off her before, he went back again. It was a mean offence.”
Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told Khan he had been released ‘ridiculously early’.
PC Gavin Rose said: “To target an elderly and vulnerable lady in this way is utterly despicable. He hasn’t shown any signs of remorse.”
