A JUDGE condemned a Netherton junkie who befriended a pensioner suffering with dementia to "bleed" him of his savings.

However mother-of-one Hayley Pratley avoided a jail sentence after Wolverhampton Crown Court was told she is trying to change her lifestyle after the birth of her daughter a month ago.

Pratley targeted the 86-year-old man before taking him to his bank and getting him to withdraw £300 from his account, she then returned on another occasion for more cash claiming to be his granddaughter.

Recorder Martin Butterworth told Pratley, aged 25: "You saw an opportunity and you set about trying to get money out of him. You quite cynically tried to bleed this gentleman of his savings.

"This the sort of offending any decent member of society treats with anger and he wants to see those behind it punished.

"This was deliberate, cynical targeting of a very vulnerable man. You have now become a mother for the first time and custody will deprive your month old daughter of her mother. But you richly deserve to go into custody."

He said it also appeared Pratley, whose 15 previous convictions involved offences including theft, deception and drugs, was now taking steps to deal with her addiction and "They may have some success".

Pratley, of Park Road, admitted theft, attempted theft and fraud and she was given an 18 month jail term suspended for two years coupled with two years supervision.

The Recorder made it a condition of her supervision that she attends the drug rehabilitation programme and ruled she must also pay £300 compensation to her victim.

Jas Mann, for Pratley, said his client was bitterly ashamed of her actions.

He added: "She is making valiant attempts to rid herself of her drug addiction. She has taken no drugs since her daughter was born. Her goal now is to lead a drug free life."

Mark Rees, prosecuting, said Pratley took advantage of the pensioner who was dependent on others to deal with his financial affairs and also had mobility problems.

The court was told the victim's neighbours had been keeping an eye on him and after the first incident they alerted police.