A KIDDERMINSTER thief who stole nearly £20,000 from a vulnerable woman in her 90s has been jailed.

Andrew Deakin, of Biset Avenue, regularly withdrew hundreds of pounds in cash at a time from his elderly victim’s bank account between June 2020 and October 2022 - including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 55-year-old’s actions were carried out without her permission and she lost a total of £19,823.10.

Officers investigating the case found the locations of withdrawals where Deakin was caught on CCTV.

He pleaded guilty to theft and fraud by false representation and was sentenced to 18 months in jail at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (September 26).

He was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge and a proceeds of crime hearing is set to follow.

PC Dan Windsor of North Worcestershire Police said: “We are pleased the court has recognised the gravity of this appalling crime on a vulnerable elderly lady following our lengthy investigation.

“Deakin showed himself to be the worst of us, preying on the very type of person the rest were trying to protect during the worrying times of the pandemic.

“He knowingly took advantage of a vulnerable victim who had quite innocently placed her trust in him at a time when she would have already been feeling afraid of the world outside.”