Thief who targeted elderly given 18 years

Jason O’Connor, aged 41, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for two burglaries and two robberies, and handling, at addresses in Stafford, Trentham and Newcastle-under-Lyme committed in October last year.

O’Connor broke into a house in Stone Road, Trentham, on October 20 last year and robbed 98-year-old Elsie Bird, taking her wedding ring and other jewellery from her fingers.

The incident left her shaken with badly bruised fingers. He also stole other jewellery and cash.

Mrs Bird, who was bed-ridden, died four weeks later at home.

On October 29, O’Connor subjected a 76-year-old Stafford man to a robbery in Vaughan Way, where he held a knife to his victim’s face, held him down and kneed him in the back before taking his bank cards and mobile phone.

Later on the same day O’Connor burgled a house in Coppice Way, Stafford and stole £67,000 worth of jewellery, electrical items and clothing.

Detective Inspector Phil Bryan, of Staffordshire Police’s Force Safeguarding and Investigation team, said the breakthrough came when forensic evidence linked O’ Connor to a burglary in Wellend Grove, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on October 29.

Explaining the breakthrough, DI Bryan said: “He used a garden tool to smash a window and enter the property and we were able to gather forensic evidence from O’ Connor on this trowel.”

During this burglary, O’Connor, who is originally from Birmingham, took rings from the fingers of his elderly victim while she slept.

He was arrested in the Tunstall area on November 2 and remanded in custody.

DI Phil Bryan added: "We are pleased that O’Connor is now safely behind bars for these terrible offences.

"He is physically strong and fit, yet he has chosen to prey on the vulnerable and elderly.

"He has not shown any remorse for his actions.

“We will relentlessly pursue offenders who target the vulnerable in our communities.

"Our thoughts are very much with the victims and their families.”