Exclusive:Fareham drug addict drained pensioner of life savings - then robbed him of what he had left
She and another went to the pensioner’s house at midnight - then robbed him.
A 'mean-spirited' drug addict who stole from a pensioner who was financially supporting her has been thrown behind bars.
In August this year, Karen Constant and her co-conspirator, Richard Featherstone, were both found guilty of robbing a man whom she had befriended a few years prior.
The court heard how Constant relied on her victim for money, and received roughly £15,000 from him since 2019. Their apparent friendship turned sour when he told her there was no more money left to give, as he had spent his life savings on her.
On March 1 this year, in the dead of night, Constant and Featherstone broke into his house and robbed him, with the latter also beating him.
Constant, 48 of Bishopsfield Road, Fareham, appeared in the dock at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday. October 9.
Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, said: "The victim was 72 years old at the time, and was left with injuries after the incident. A neighbour described his condition as being 'distraught' and that he was in quite a state.
"This was a two-person robbery, where violence was used by the co-defendant.
"The victim had provided her with quite a large amount of money. As soon as that money stopped, she robbed him."
Josh Happe, representing Constant, explained how the 48-year-old had endured a difficult life, but had been kicking her drug addiction while on remand - then asked for a suspended sentence.
He said: "It's impossible to challenge the prosecution's submissions, but she has endured a life of abuse and trauma. She lived with a constant threat of violence, so turned to drugs and became completely reliant on money to feed her habit.
"She has done everything a person could while on remand to try and rehabilitate herself. She has used her time productively, which better than others in this case have done. Constant has cleaned herself up and is now drug-free."
But Judge Daniel Sawyer ruled that even the minimum sentence he could have passed would not cross the threshold for a suspension.
He said: "Around 2019 you met a man and became friends, and he essentially began supporting you with money for the next few years. During that period, he gave you nearly £15,000.
"There then came a time when he said there was no more money left. You and Featherstone went round his house at midnight - he beat him while you stole his phone and wallet.
"Over the course of the trial, you made a number of allegations against him. I must account for your lack of remorse; it was a thoroughly mean-spirited robbery, and you continued in that spirit with how you contested the matter."
Constant was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Featherstone, her co-defendant, will be sentenced on December 4 this year.