Ferryhill and Spennymoor duo target vulnerable men in 'campaign of exploitation'

Jonathan Foster and Louise Stabler have both received prison sentences in separate recent hearings at Durham Crown Court, for what was described as, “a campaign of exploitation.”

Foster, who was subject to a suspended prison sentence at the time, and Stabler brazenly entered the men’s home to take their bank cards and cash.

Durham Crown Court heard that one of the victims was then ushered to a car to be taken to make withdrawals from cash machines in the area.

Read more: County Durham woman facing trial accused of burglary

The court was told the targeted pair were an elderly man and his son who share a home in Blackhall Colliery.

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said both had their “vulnerabilities” of which the defendants were aware as there had been previous history between them.

She described it as targeted offending by the defendants, who jointly carried out the, “campaign of exploitation”.

They took £100, plus bank cards, from the house, on May 5 this year.

Despite being told she was not welcome, Stabler entered the home anyway and began arguing with the son before Foster turned up at the address and was invited in as he had a cut hand.

Miss Smithies said a wallet with a £10 note inside, plus credit and bank cards belonging to both victims, was taken from the living room.

A jar of coins, containing about £90 in change, was taken from the kitchen.

Having helped herself to the cash and coins Stabler left with Foster, but returned later that day in a vehicle into which they told the younger victim to get in.

He was then driven around various cash machines and made withdrawals, amounting to about £770.

Foster also made purchases of £29.30 and £21.04, both at a Co-op store, using the victim’s card, also on May 5.

In his victim statement, the younger of the targeted men said it left him feeling “abused”, adding that he felt his heart had “slipped out of his chest.”

The court heard Foster has 48 convictions for 82 offences spanning three decades.

Lewis Kerr, in mitigation, said there had been gaps in his offending but he told the court the latest offences were committed, “to facilitate his drug and alcohol use.”

Mr Kerr said he accepted they were, “mean offences”, which the defendant recognised.

Foster, 48, of Ross Terrace, Ferryhill, received a total sentence of 33 months earlier this week, after admitting theft, fraud and breaching a suspended sentence order, imposed in January for burglary with intent to steal.

Read more: Security man dragged along store car park as he tried to stop fleeing thief

He received 15 months for the breach, which was added to 18 months imposed for the May 5 offences.

Stabler, 34, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Thornley and Spennymoor, previously denied burglary and theft, but her pleas to two counts of theft were accepted by the prosecution on the day of her scheduled trial, on September 7, and she received an 18-month prison sentence.

Sentencing Foster, Judge Jo Kidd said: “This was joint activity clearly planned in order to intimidate both vulnerable victims, against a background of exploitation.

“This was a cruel and mean offence.”

Following conclusion of the case, a Durham Police spokeswoman said: “I am pleased that this cold-hearted duo have finally been put behind bars and are now where they should be.

“The pair abused and exploited both of the victim’s vulnerabilities in order to gain financially.

“Fraud is a despicable crime which can have devastating effects.”

She added: “It’s good to know that the victims can finally see justice served.”

Read next:

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               Durham Crown Court: ‘Thug' bullied and controlled former partner

               County Durham woman who defrauded her partner jailed

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