Odd-job man Sholan James ended up stealing around £2,000 from a vulnerable pensioner.
Now James, of Liversedge, has been jailed for two years after Recorder Jonathan Sandford said to him: “He trusted you to be in the house and move around it and you betrayed that trust in order to steal from him.”
Leeds Crown Court heard the 83-year-old victim who lives in Almondbury had mobility problems and was grateful when James offered to do odd jobs for him for a small payment.
However on October 14 the pensioner was unwell when James called round, he was lying on the sofa and had nothing that needed doing.
Nicoleta Alistari prosecuting said James asked to use the bathroom and after he had left the property the pensioner noticed £1,300 had been taken from a drawer in his study. A few days later James asked to borrow some money. The pensioner agreed and went to get him some change but he also rang a neighbour and asked him to come round because he wanted to confront James about the earlier missing money.
Meanwhile James asked if he could take a shower and the complainant agreed thinking it would give the neighbour more time to get there.
However minutes later he became suspicious when he did not hear any water running and when he investigated found James with his shirt off but in the study. The visitor then made an excuse and hurriedly left.
Miss Alistari said the pensioner then discovered £700 worth of Tunisian currency was missing. He informed the police and when James was arrested at his home, the currency was found in his living room.
He had 18 previous convictions for 29 offences including theft from the person and robbery.
Ben Thomas representing James said he had an unenviable criminal record and he anticipated a custodial sentence.
James, 24, of Milbridge View, Liversedge admitted two charges of theft.
