'Crimewatch' burglar jailed

A man from Netherhall who was inspired by the television show Crimewatch to target elderly women has been jailed for seven years.

Leicester Crown Court was told 19-year-old Adrian Brookbanks, from Grantham Road, decided to concentrate on "vulnerable members of society" after watching the BBC programme.

He mugged one 79-year-old twice in three weeks and held a 90-year-old in her home for half an hour during a crime spree aimed at funding his heroin habit.

On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to three offences of robbery, three of burglary and one of assault with intent to rob.

Vulnerable targeted

Brookbanks attacked 90-year-old Louisa Wood on 23 August, after claiming he needed to borrow a phone after a car breakdown.

Despite her ordeal, Ms Wood flatly refused to hand over any cash - forcing Brookbanks to flee her home empty-handed.

Brookbanks, a heroin addict since the age of 16, pleaded guilty to three offences of robbery, three of burglary and one of assault with intent to rob.

Richard Nicholls, defending, said: "It appears he got the idea to do what he did from watching Crimewatch, targeting vulnerable members of society."