A BRAZEN burglar walked into an 88-year-old woman’s home and stole her handbag as she lay helpless in bed, a court heard.

Neville Elliott, 53, entered the vulnerable OAP's property in Halifax, through the front door on August 26 last year.

The victim was lying in bed at the time and saw the intruder calmly walk past her bedroom as he made his way into the home.

Elliot went into the living room and grabbed the woman's handbag before skulking back past her bedroom and fleeing the scene.

He made off with the victim’s glasses, keys and a purse containing £5, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Elliott was linked to the crime after CCTV footage showing him walking with the stolen items was identified by a police officer.

The offender, of Rye Lane, Pellon, Halifax, appeared in court via videolink for sentencing today, when he was jailed for four years.

In a victim impact statement, the elderly woman described feeling very poorly after the incident and being angry at what happened.

She said: “I should be safe in my own home and no one should come inside.”

The court heard Elliot has around 20 burglary offences on his record and had targeted the homes of pensioners in the past.

Prosecutor Emma Downing said Elliott had been given jail terms of 48 months and 54 months in 2012 and 2015 for similar offending.

On one occasion he pretended to be a police officer to steal £400 from the home of a 67-year-old, it was heard.

Elliot's barrister Abdul Shakoor said his client was upset about the offence and that he had written an apology letter to the victim.

He also made a plea for mercy and leniency in his letter, it was heard.

However, Judge Jonathan Rose ruled a significant custodial sentence was the only appropriate punishment.

He said elderly people were entitled not to be disturbed by a “villain” like Elliott sneaking in and frightening them.

The judge added: “Your tears today indicate you are very upset at your predicament.

“That is as nothing compared to the 88-year-old lady whose home you violated as you have done in the past.”

Detective Inspector Gary Stephenson, of Calderdale CID, said after the sentencing: "I welcome today’s lengthy sentence as Elliott is one of our prolific offenders.

"Elliott has a long list of burglary offences and targets the homes of vulnerable and elderly people.

"Having someone breaking into your home can be extremely traumatic so hopefully his victims can find some comfort in the sentence."