A BURGLAR who took 'advantage' of a partially blind elderly woman has been jailed.

James Gardner of Grampian Way, Langley, visited the victim's home in Langley Road on September 7 asking her about gardening work.

He visited at around 10.30am and the court heard how Gardner persuaded the woman to do gardening for her. She then gave him £320.

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After a short time, Gardner made excuses and left the address, claiming he needed to get a vehicle to move some rubbish.

The next day, he returned and walked in to the victim’s kitchen unannounced, claiming he needed more money for a skip.

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The woman, being suspicious of Gardner, told him several times to get out and continue working, which he did but asked for £20 for a skip.

The victim did not given him any money but hid £20 out of sight in the kitchen.

Gardner left the kitchen but then returned and the woman told him to leave.

After he left, the victim discovered the £20 was missing so she called her son-in-law, who reported it to police.

CCTV footage showed Gardner walking down the road away from the address holding money in his hands.

Police officers identified him and arrested him on September 10.

Gardner denied any involvement when being questioned.

Gardner was released on bail but was re-arrested on September 16 after his DNA was found on a wheelbarrow in the garden.

Again, he was interviewed and provided no comment but was charged that day.

PC James Rex, based at Slough police station, said: “Gardner targeted an elderly victim and took advantage of her, claiming to have done work which never took place.

“He continually maintained his innocence throughout the court process despite the evidence against him.

“He has showed no remorse throughout the entire process and fully deserves the sentence given to him by the judge, which will protect other vulnerable people from being targeted by him.”

Gardner was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Friday, February 4.

A jury unanimously found him guilty of one count of burglary.