Hartlepool drug addict jailed for ‘diabolical’ robbery of vulnerable woman who later died

Crack cocaine user David Graham, 44, rang the victim’s doorbell at 2am on March 5 and issued the terrifying threat.

He pushed past her and rifled through her belongings before stealing numerous electrical devices including a laptop computer and tablets, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Graham was jailed for three years on Monday (September 28) for the ‘diabolical’ robbery.

Tragically the victim, who was 59 at the time, has since died from pre-existing health issues and Cleveland Police detective Anthony Wallace expressed his regret that she never got to know that justice had been done.

The victim had been asleep on the sofa in the living room when she heard her doorbell and went to investigate.

Prosecutor Jonathan Harley said: “As she did that the door was pushed open and this defendant was at the front.

"This defendant, she says, said to her ‘give me your money or I’ll stab you’.

"She told him she didn’t keep money in the house. The defendant pushed her and she fell onto the sofa where she had been asleep.”

Graham rummaged through her belongings and said ‘give me a tenner’.

He made off with the electrical goods despite the victim trying to follow him.

Inquiries by Hartlepool CID led to Graham being arrested and the recovery of the stolen property.

Rod Hunt, defending for Graham, of Annandale Crescent, Hartlepool, said the robbery was ‘wholly out of character’ and down to the drugs.

"What happened to him when the drugs took over his brain will hopefully never happen again and he’s bitterly sorry for what he did,” said Mr Hunt.

Graham repeatedly said: “I’m so sorry” to the judge.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Paul Watson described the robbery as “a diabolical intrusion”.

DC Wallace said afterwards: “While in hospital towards the end of her life, the lady did manage to write a letter detailing just how badly the incident had affected her so for her sake, I am very pleased to see justice served today.”

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