A man who stole money from a vulnerable elderly woman at her North East address has been sentenced to four months in prison.

Dylan Bandeira, 21, is beginning his sentence after being found guilty of burglary at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (January 12).

Bandeira convinced the 87-year-old victim to let him into her Redcar address at the end of May last year under the pretext of selling cleaning products.

He attempted to sell her low value items at an inflated price before stealing a large amount of cash.

The Northern Echo: Bandeira, 21, is beginning his sentence after being found guilty of burglary at Teesside Crown

The woman was left extremely shaken and afraid in her own home.

Speaking after sentencing at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, Detective Sergeant Chris Thurston said: “Bandeira’s actions in targeting a vulnerable elderly woman were despicable and all our officers were determined to bring him to justice.

“Our detectives worked extremely hard to identify him whilst achieving the best possible evidence to secure a charge and we’re all relieved he was found guilty by a jury on Friday.

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“We all hope the lady gains some comfort knowing he is in prison, and we all wish her well going forward.”

Redcar & Cleveland CID identified Bandeira as the suspect and they arrested, charged and remanded him, within a month.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Although Bandeira was given the opportunity to admit what he’d done, he persistently refused to do so meaning the victim had the further stress of a trial.”