Jail for woman who robbed seriously ill pensioner

A woman who robbed a seriously ill pensioner in her own home has been jailed.

Sarah Turner, aged 38, was armed with a screwdriver when she knocked on the woman’s door in Clifton shortly after 5am on 10 May last year.

She then barged her way in and demanded money – claiming that if she didn’t get it, two men waiting outside would come and smash her windows. 

As her frightened 71-year-old victim dialled 999, Turner fled the scene with £30 but was soon intercepted by police and arrested.

Turner, who has multiple previous convictions, then became abusive and denied any involvement in the crime.

Forensic examination of her phone, however, revealed a text message sent moments after the crime in which she told an acquaintance that she now had the money to complete a drug deal.

Turner, of Highbank Drive, Clifton, was also positively identified by her victim, despite an attempt to cover her face with a scarf at the time of the offence.

She later pleaded guilty to robbery and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, where she was jailed for three years and seven months.

Detective Constable Paulina Goral, a robbery detective at Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This was a horrendous crime perpetrated against a seriously ill woman in her own home. Turner knew just how vulnerable her victim was but still chose to get her out of bed in the early hours of the morning, threaten and rob her.

“Unsurprisingly this crime has had a profound impact on this woman, who has been left scared to go out and now feels like a prisoner in her own home.

“I am pleased Turner has now been jailed, and hope this provides at least some comfort to the victim.”