Exclusive:Prolific burglar repeatedly targeted 'vulnerable' pensioners to fuel addiction, court told
Victims described being “fearful to leave the house” after they were burgled
A prolific burglar who targeted vulnerable pensioners in a string of offences committed has been sent to prison once again - having been jailed for similar crimes only seven years ago.
Sheffield Crown Court heard of a number of cases in which Lisa King, 44, entered the homes of elderly people to make off with cash and other valuables at a sentencing hearing on Monday (June 15).
The court was told that back in October 2024 she visited the home of a 71-year-old neighbour who suffered from cerebral palsy to introduce herself.
When making a cup of tea in the man’s kitchen, King took a newly-bought DVD player from his home as well as £300 in cash, prosecuting barrister Stephanie Hollis explained.
Then in November, she retuned to the house once again, making her way inside through the back door and taking another £300 from his home, the court heard.
“The offences caused him stress when he was trying to sort out his new property,” Ms Hollis added.
“He said he was scared by the defendant [...] he couldn’t understand why she had stolen from him when he had always been social to her.”
The court was then told that less than a year later, in July 2025, King attempted a similar burglary, entering the home of an 80-year-old woman who used a wheelchair and had fallen asleep in her garden.
When inside, King stole a purse containing her bank card and shop vouchers before fleeing, with the victim only learning of this when a neighbour spotted what had occurred.
The victim said the incident had left her “struggling to sleep” and “fearful to leave her address,” Ms Hollis told the court.
The prosecuting barrister went on to explain that Kind had 27 prior offences, 18 of which were offences of dishonesty.
She had previously been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for burglary in 2019, and was serving a suspended sentence at the time of this latest offending.
“She has been repeatedly targeting vulnerable victims,” Ms Hollis concluded.
King’s defence counsel, Curtis Dunkley, argued this claim, saying that during the 2025 offence his client was suffering from drug addiction and entered the 80-year-old victim’s home spontaneously.
“She has gone in and gone out straight away, taking what she can to feed her own habit,” he added.
He explained how King. of Main Road, Darnall, had lived a difficult life, experiencing periods of homelessness and addiction - with her struggling in 2025 after her mother was taken into care.
King wiped away tears as her counsel detailed these mitigating factors.
Mr Dunkley went on to say that over the last six months in custody, King has made efforts to improve herself, beating her addiction with the help of prison support staff.
“She is now in one of the best places she’s been,” he continued.
When passing sentence, Recorder Ayesha Smart accepted that King had shown remorse for her actions and had experienced difficulty in life.
She said that King befriended the male victim and then “exploited that trust” to steal his belongings.
The judge also referenced King’s “significant record” for offences of dishonesty, saying that includes similar offences where she had "targeted vulnerable victims.”
King was ultimately sentenced to 42 months imprisonment.
A suspended sentence of six months was also activated, to be served concurrently.