A DESPERATE drug addict who twice forced her way into a pensioner’s flat to steal from him ripped the intercom off the wall when he tried to call for help, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Emma Killoran targeted the vulnerable man at his Bradford home on December 13 and 14 last year, taking cash from his pocket and picking up a knife while rifling through his cupboards and clothing.

Killoran, 37, who was living at an address in York House, Idlethorp Way, Thorpe Edge, Bradford, pleaded guilty to two offences of dwelling house burglary.

Prosecutor Richard Holland said she had 21 previous convictions for 35 offences including matters of dishonesty and breaching court orders.

She rang the 75-year-old man’s doorbell and banged on his door at 1am on December 13 and then forced her way into the flat.

He gave her £40 for ‘electricity and baby care’ and when she hugged him on the way out she stole up to £70 from his dressing gown pocket.

Killoran was back the next day, wedging her foot in the door and asking to borrow money.

Mr Holland said the man managed to get rid of her the first time but she returned later and forced her way in. This time she picked up a Japanese knife from the flat and held it while she searched cupboards and rummaged through the pockets of clothing.

When the pensioner tried to summon help she ripped the intercom off the wall and then stole his phone. She also made off with £100 in coins and bottles of alcohol.

The man ran out of the flat to get help, the court was told.

When Killoran was arrested she at first denied the burglaries.

The pensioner said he was left feeling distraught, alone and depressed. The loss of his phone cut him off from friends and family and he now trusted no one.

David McGonigal said in mitigation that Killoran had spent almost a year in prison on remand.

She was of no fixed address and had been living a chaotic lifestyle. Now drug free, she was hoping to make a fresh start.

Although the offences were very unpleasant, they were committed almost within 24 hours of one another and the first burglary was spur-of the-moment.

Judge Colin Burn sentenced Killoran to an 18-month community order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 25 rehabilitation activity days.

A 12-year restraining order bans her from contacting her victim or going near his home.

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