Droitwich man, 63, avoids jail after stealing from vulnerable victim

War veteran Andrew Rolfe came close to being jailed after stealing £900 from the Droitwich home of £86-year-old victim, who had just learned of a bereavement. 

Magistrates told Rolfe there had been some planning to his crime and he had breached the trust of the "vulnerable" victim. 

The 63-year-old, of Worcester Road, Droitwich, admitted theft in dwelling when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (December 1). 

AVOIDS JAIL: Andrew Rolfe walking out of Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, said Rolfe got to know the victim as a neighbour before going on to do jobs for her.

"He befriended her," Mrs Afsar said. 

"So much so she gave him a set of keys to her house. She would give him money, going to the bank for her."
The prosecutor said on September 23 this year the victim was given bad news, learning of a bereavement.

"She was upset, crying," the prosecutor said. 

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"He comes in (using the keys) and consoles her. 

"He said he would make her a cup of tea."

The prosecutor said the victim went into her living room but after getting concerned after not hearing the kettle boiling she found Rolfe with one hand behind his back in her room. 

Mrs Afsar said Rolfe left giving the victim a cold cup of tea and claiming he had to go help someone else.

The victim then discovered £900 in an envelope in her bedroom drawer was gone. 

COURT: Andrew Rolfe appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court

The court heard the victim's personal statement in which she said she didn't think she could get over what happened and added she would have happily given the money to Rolfe if he had asked. 

Elle-May Macey, defending, said Rolfe was "extremely remorseful" and "repulsed" by what he had done. 

She explained shortly after the crime Rolfe had gone on holiday but the thought of it engulfed him, going to the police station on his return to admit what he did. 

"He has tried to put it right," the solicitor said. 

Magistrates tell thief Andrew Rolfe he had a 'high degree of trust and responsibility'

"He tried to contact her to give the money back - he has brought the £900 with him today."

Miss Macey said it was out of character for Rolfe having served in the Army between 1976 and 1994, taking part in operations abroad including in Iraq.

She added Rolfe had a brain injury which he was getting support from the Headway charity for. 

Chairman of the bench, Simon Egerton, said: "You had a high degree of trust and responsibility.

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"The victim, just simply by her age, is vulnerable."

He jailed Rolfe for 24 weeks, suspended for 24 months - warning him if he committed another offence in that period he would go to jail. 

Rolfe was ordered to pay costs of £185 and victim surcharge of £154, as well as £900 compensation to victim. 

Magistrates accepted Rolfe's offer to pay the total, £1,239, in full within 28 days.