"Professional villain" jailed for six years

10:00pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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A HEROIN addict who tricked his way into the homes of two elderly women has today been jailed for six years.

Craig Cheney, 26, was described as a "professional villain" by Judge Michael Taylor, at Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard how Cheney, who admitted two counts of burglary in March this year, has been up before the courts on 16 previous occasions for dishonesty offences.

During his latest appearance today, he asked for ten other burglaries to be taken into account.

Prosecuting, Gillian Milton said Cheney entered a warden controlled property in Stockton where an elderly lady lived alone after telling her he was "Maureen's son".

The woman, who was with a 77-year-old male friend, thought she knew someone called Maureen and let him in. While in the house Cheney asked for a glass of water and then proceeded to grab the man's wallet containing £60 cash and bank cards.

Ms Milton said the pair grappled before Cheney, of Londonderry Road, Stockton, pushed the man over, causing him to fall against the female occupant, and ran off.

Five days later, having been arrested and bailed by police, he used similar "subterfuge" to get into a 87-year-old woman's home in Norton, telling her he was "Beryl's grandson".

Only after he had left did the woman realise her purse containing £28 had gone.

Judge Taylor described the offences as "nasty and unpleasant".

He said: "The message goes out that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

The judge said he took into credit Cheney's guilty pleas, adding that he would have received a seven year sentence had he been convicted following a jury trial.