A BURGLAR who ransacked a pensioner's home before laying in wait to steal her car has been jailed.


Lee Hutchinson rifled through the 83-year-old's cupboards and drawers for valuables at the property in Henry's Avenue, Woodford Green.


The victim then returned home in the early evening of May 9 last year and parked her car in the drive, unaware the burglar was in her home.


She later noticed her keys had gone missing and spotted that her car had been taken at 11pm.


She then discovered her bedroom had been ransacked.


Hutchinson, 19,of Betoyne Avenue in Chingford, was later arrested after being found in the car following a collision in The Close, Chingford, and forensic evidence placed him at the scene of the burglary.


He was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading not guilty.


Detective Inspector David Spencer said: "That Hutchinson chose to commit an offence against an 83-year-old woman just demonstrates what little concern for his fellow human beings this individual has.


"It is difficult to be anything other than appalled by his actions and I hope that over the next twelve months he has the opportunity to reflect on his behaviour and consider how he might take a more law-abiding path on his release." 

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