Hainault man jailed for pulling a pensioner’s pendant from her neck

A man who conned his way into a pensioner’s home and ripped a gold necklace from her neck has been jailed for nine years.

Frank Smith, 42, of Manford Way, Hainault, invited himself into the victim’s Kent home and told her she needed work done to her garden.

The OAP said she already had help with her plants but Smith walked into the kitchen and asked for a pen and paper which she handed over.

When he walked into her bedroom she challenged his behaviour and told him she had no money for gardening work.

On hearing this he forcibly pulled a necklace from her neck and ran out of the house leaving the note pad on the kitchen worktop.

The victim had possessed the necklace for 24 years.

Police investigators seized the note pad and on forensic examination found fingerprints from Smith’s left and right thumbs.

On November 16, Smith was interviewed by officers and he denied being at the address or having been in Kent for several years.

He was unable to provide a plausible excuse for his fingerprints being at the scene of the burglary.

Smith was subsequently charged with burglary with violence and appeared before Maidstone Court on Wednesday August 30 where he pleaded not guilty.

After a full day’s trial, the jury found Smith guilty and he was sentenced to prison for nine years.

Investigating officer Det Con Lisa Stevens said: “The victim was vulnerable because of her age and Smith took advantage of this fact to gain access to her house and use violence to steal the necklace.

“Smith’s prison sentence will offer some protection to the residents of Kent and he should consider the effect his actions have on the victims of his crimes.

“I would like to commend the victim’s bravery in assisting us throughout the investigation.”