A heroin addict who broke into a Carlisle home and stole a pensioner’s handbag from a next to a bed as she slept has been jailed.
A man and woman went to sleep at the city address at 10pm on April 19. They woke the following morning to discover the woman’s handbag — containing a purse and cards, which had been on the floor next to the bed — was missing.
When cameras at the address were checked, footage showed 31-year-old Zoe Dixon was the intruder and she was recognised by the male householder.
When the woman checked a banking app, this showed that items totalling almost £170 had been fraudulently bought from three Carlisle shops.
And when Dixon was brought to court she admitted burglary and four offences of fraud by false representation.
In moving impact statements, the two victims spoke of being left paranoid and anxious after the crime, and feeling they had to lock themselves in the address in the aftermath.
“It has completely knocked our confidence,” said the man.
Meanwhile the woman, 72, told how the pair had been diagnosed with COVID the previous day and described them both struggling to sleep for fear that there would be a repeat of the break-in.
A purse stolen by Dixon had been given to her as a present by her mother just before she died, and held immense sentimental value. “Quite simply it has really affected me both financially and mentally,” the woman said.
Both victims remained worried months after the offending and hyper-vigilant about security.
Dixon, of no fixed address, had more than two dozen previous offences for dishonesty on a list of 51 past crimes, including a past domestic burglary.
The court heard she had been a heroin addict since the age of 18 but now had a more constructive attitude towards her life and was keen to become drug-free.
But amid concerns about her failure to comply with rehabilitation work in the community, Judge Nicholas Barker imposed an immediate 20-month jail term. “They thought they were secure,” said Judge Barker of the burglary victims.
“That is entirely reasonable and it is the mindset that every homeowner, occupier, should think when they go to bed.”
He added: “The offence of burglary is a quick and easy one to commit. After all it just takes the breaking and entering of a person’s property; a few items taken and then walk away into the night.
“But the effects of that are long-lasting and have a significant impact upon the sense of security and wellbeing that people can have in their homes.”
