Face of the heartless Sheffield burglar jailed after stealing from elderly disabled man

Sheffield Crown Court heard on May 5 how Gareth Crofts, aged 38, of Selly Oak Grove, Jordanthorpe, Sheffield, visited the complainant’s home in Jordanthorpe asking for tea bags before he snatched cash from a bedroom.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told Crofts: “Your victim was and is a 72-year-old man who has had both legs amputated and suffers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a heart condition.

“He was in his home enjoying the safety of his own home on the morning in question when you arrived and purported to ask for tea bags.

“You took the opportunity when your victim went to get the tea bags to enter his bedroom and steal from a wallet £21.40 and then you left.”

Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said Crofts had visited the property at about 10.30am, on February 23, and the complainant recognised the defendant because Crofts had previously visited one of his neighbours.

Ms Earnshaw added that the complainant lives alone and is dependent on a wheelchair and fears he will become a target due to his vulnerabilities.

Crofts, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the burglary.

Ian Goldsack, defending, said Crofts has been trying to address a drug problem but at the time of the offence he had been struggling without a methadone prescription.

Mr Goldsack also argued the burglary had been an opportunistic offence.

But Judge Kelson said: “This is largely the targeting of an elderly victim.”

He sentenced Crofts to 18-months of custody.