A pensioner dying of cancer was attacked in his own home by a thug.
Leslie Morgan was terminally-ill with lung cancer when he found Michael Fagge burgling his Paddock home.
The 75-year-old wheelchair-bound man - who died 10 days after the attack - bravely tried to stand up to the heroin addict who was already on licence from prison.
But Fagge grabbed him around the throat, dragged him from his wheelchair and stole a treasured gold chain from around his neck.
Tonight, as Fagge was starting an eight-year jail sentence, police welcomed the sentence.
Det Insp Ian Thornes, of Huddersfield CID, said: “Fagge invaded the privacy of a vulnerable pensioner’s home and used force and threats of further violence to steal items, including a gold chain from around the victim’s neck.
“I welcome the custodial sentence handed to him which I hope demonstrates how seriously the police and courts treat the targeting of vulnerable members of the community for personal gain.”
Mr Morgan had already had a leg amputated in 2010 and suffered vascular problems before he was diagnosed with lung cancer towards the end of last year. He was considered too weak for chemotherapy.
Robert Galley prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court today he was discharged from hospital in December so he could spend his last days being looked after at his home in Wren Street, Paddock with palliative nursing care.
But on the evening of February 11 he heard a tapping noise and went in his wheelchair into the hall to investigate, finding Fagge, a heroin addict who was on licence from prison, coming out of his bedroom.
Inquiries later showed Fagge had been searching in that room but when he saw Mr Morgan rather than flee he grabbed the pensioner with a choke hold around his neck.
He demanded money and threatened to kill his victim if he did not show him where his valuables were.
Mr Morgan described to police later fearing he was going to die because he could not breathe properly and said he pleaded with his attacker not to hurt him.
Fagge eventually let go and snatched the gold chain the pensioner was wearing around his neck which he had treasured for 25 years.
He was helpless as Fagge searched the room, pocketing a wallet containing £440 cash, and valuable jewellery including four watches and four rings which held sentimental value.
Mr Galley said Fagge also discovered in a cupboard a bottle of rum in a presentation box given to Mr Morgan by a friend.
He took the bottle for himself but left the box and it was from fingerprints on that he was eventually traced.
Mr Morgan tried to grab Fagge by his clothes at one point but was only pulled out of his wheelchair as the robber got away. He was then able to raise the alarm by banging in the hallway to summon a neighbour.
He was shocked and shaken by the experience and was taken to hospital with a bleeding thumb and given painkillers for bruising to his back and neck. He died in the early hours of February 21.
At the time of the offence Fagge was on licence having been released from a five year jail sentence imposed for robbery and attempted robbery in 2011.
Fagge, 36, formerly of Elmwood Avenue, Huddersfield, admitted robbery and was jailed for eight years with an extended four years on licence after his release. He also asked for 21 other dishonesty offences to be taken into consideration.
Judge Rodney Jameson QC said it was accepted he did not target the property as belonging to a vulnerable person and was intending to burgle it but when he saw Mr Morgan instead of leaving he attacked him.
“His last few weeks of life which should have been peaceful and dignified were taken from him in cruel circumstances,”said the judge.
The judge said when Fagge was in the grip of his addiction his behaviour was unpredictable and it was not known how long that would be for causing him to be a risk to others.
Andrew Dallas representing Fagge told the court his regret was genuine and he had helped the police recover some of the property which had been sold before his arrest.
“He has expressed remorse and insight into what a morally distasteful thing he did.”
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