Callous woman preyed on the kindness of a Leamington pensioner to steal his wallet and bank cards which she used to get money for drugs

A callous woman preyed on the kindness of a Leamington pensioner to steal his wallet and bank cards which she used to get money for drugs.

And a judge observed that for almost three decades Gaynor Louis had inflicted misery on other people as she prioritised her need for drugs over everything else.

Louis (50) of New Brook Street, Leamington, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty at Warwick Crown Court to burglary and possessing crack cocaine.

Prosecutor Philip Brunt said that at around 10pm on November 2 last year Louis attracted the attention of a 72-year-old man who was in his flat in Stamford Gardens, Leamington.

She came to his window and asked whether she could leave her bike there, and, recognising her as someone he had seen living on the street in Leamington, he agreed.

Louis then asked if she could use the toilet, and once inside his flat asked him for a drink of water, which he got for her from the kitchen.

She asked for money, which he did not give her, and then picked up a photograph of his son and his wallet, which he told her to put down.

He was then asked for another glass of water, and when he went to get it, Louis took his wallet and left.

Her victim reported it to the police, but within minute of leaving Louis had used one of his bank cards to withdraw £150 and unsuccessfully attempted to use a second card.

The police located her with the aid of CCTV cameras, and when she was arrested she had just £5 of the cash left, having spent the rest on drugs.

Louis, who also had a wrap of crack cocaine on her, denied being responsible for the burglary, claiming she had been with her daughter at the time – but her victim was able to identify her.

Mr Brunt added that Louis had 64 previous convictions for 141 offences, and it was the third time she had faced a minimum sentence of three years as a ‘third strike’ burglar.

Simon Hunka, defending, said: “She acts out of desperation. She is 50 years of age, and her life is a very sad story. She has been addicted to drugs for almost half her life.

“Her first offence was when she was 11. She was in and out of care as a child, and she has been on her own for most of her life and in and out of prison.”

Mr Hunka said that following her release from her last prison sentence in March 2019, Louis attended appointments with the probation service, was found accommodation and was working three days a week as a cleaner.

But then things went wrong when she was moved to other accommodation from where drugs were being dealt, and as a result she lost her home, then lost her job after missing shifts and missed methadone prescription appointments.

“She found herself once again in a desperate state – and people in that state do desperate things,” he added.

Jailing Louis, Judge Anthony Potter told her: “It is depressing in the extreme that you, having chosen a life of addiction which has plagued you for the last three decades, should selfishly share that misery with others.

“You approached his flat late at night seeking help, and because he’s someone who has always exhibited generosity to those less fortunate than him he was minded to let you store your bike in his flat.

“But it was not assistance you were after, but to take advantage of a 72-year-old man, and you repaid his kindness by stealing from him.

“He feels his good nature was taken advantage of, and he feels his behaviour towards homeless individuals is likely to be affected – so others who have done nothing wrong are unlikely to benefit from his kindness in the future because of your actions.

“You pose a real danger to vulnerable members of society because you prioritise your need for drugs over everything else.”