A woman thief, who preyed on vulnerable elderly people to fund her drug addiction, has been locked up.

Diane Hanson, 39, targeted a 74-year-old man living alone in East Bowling, Bradford, befriending him and persuading him to loan her £660 which she never repaid, Bradford Crown Court was told today.

Hanson then forced her way into the home of a 67-year-old man and stole £40.

Judge Robert Bartfield, jailing Hanson for 20 months, said she had approached the 74-year-old in the street and asked to borrow money for a taxi.

"He was charitable to you. Your response, over the next couple of weeks, was to continue to borrow money from him under various ruses."

The judge added: "You said you would give the money back. You showed him affection to ensure he parted with money."

Judge Bartfield said the victim had been left in a significantly disadvantaged position.

The court heard that Hanson, who pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and burglary, had previous convictions for other offences against elderly victims.