A FORMER Droitwich man who took part in the theft of £10,000 from a pensioner has been jailed.

Dorian Simmonds, aged 45, admitted introducing his accomplice, Rachel Green, to a woman in her 70s who was a family friend.

Green, who is now deceased, and Simmonds, of Northleach Close, Blackpole, befriended the woman and she eventually handed over her cash card and PIN number so they could withdraw cash from the bank for her.

However the pair then went on a spending spree between November 2017 and February 2018 which cost their victim £9,730.

Judge Robert Jukes QC told Simmonds: "You took advantage of a vulnerable lady in her late 70s, that causes disgust in the public eye."

Simmonds, who has previous convictions for offences including theft, possession of drugs, battery and criminal damage, was sent to prison for 12 months and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

When arrested he claimed he had only been responsible for taking around £1,000, which he spent on dog biscuits and a hoodie.

However he later admitted to police the cash was used to buy heroin.

The judge gave Simmonds credit for pleading guilty, the court also heard he was full of genuine remorse and had pledged to repay the stolen money.

The hearing was told Simmonds had turned away from using drugs, obtained full-time employment and re-engaged with the church.