A woman has been given a restraining order after sneaking into a sleeping man's home and demanding cash.

Last month, Kirsty Rank snuck into an elderly man’s home in Ferryhill while he was sleeping in his chair.

When the victim woke, Rank demanded money from the man who refused and asked her to leave.

The victim called the police immediately and officers swiftly arrested Rank.

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The 32-year-old, of Stephenson Street, Ferryhill, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates court on September 27 where she pleaded guilty.

Rank was handed a 12-week suspended sentence and also issued a restraining order and a drug rehabilitation order which will run alongside her existing criminal behaviour order.

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She is not to enter any house without the occupant's permission, not to enter any house of a person previously unknown, to use the toilet or to ask for assistance, not to go to any house and ask for money.

Ferryhill Sergeant Peter Newman said: “Kirsty Rank is a prolific offender and will often prey on vulnerable men who don’t often come forward when they fall victim to her.

“We’d like to reassure residents that should they report, we will take immediate action.”