A thief who left a Cleator Moor pensioner frightened in her own home by stealing watches and jewellery after she fell asleep has been handed another prison sentence.
Anthony Raymond Callander, 51, had been a regular visitor to the house of the 70-year-old woman, although she called him an unwanted associate.
On the afternoon of November 10, heavily-convicted Callander walked in and had a cigarette with the lone householder, claiming he had “changed for the better”.
The woman later woke to find a note from him saying a key was in the door and everything was secure.
But when a friend made contact to say two watches similar to hers were on sale in a pawn shop, she realised Callander had stolen from her. Rings and earrings had also been taken, but were recovered and presented to the victim by police who found them in a pair of jeans at Callander’s home.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the woman was left frightened in her own home. “I think he is targeting me because I am a soft touch,” said had said. “I’m frightened of him coming back.”
In the aftermath, Callander had gone to her home again and, after being refused entry, he bombarded her with 28 messages, issuing a warning not to tell police.
Callander, of Queen Street, Cleator Moor, admitted theft and harassment. He had since he recalled to prison on licence to serve the remainder of an eight-year jail term imposed in 2016. He and a masked accomplice had burst into a couple’s home at night armed with a wheel brace.
Judge Richard Archer described Callander’s latest crimes as far less serious but no less despicable, adding: “You have caused a real degree of emotional distress by your offending.”
Callander was given a nine-month prison sentence, and banned from contacting the woman — or entering her street — for seven years.
However, Judge Archer said official sentencing guidance — which restricted the level of punishment he could impose in the case — meant the exercise was effectively a joke and “not in the interests of justice but an affront to justice”.
