A BEGGAR repaid an elderly woman's kindness by stealing her handbag.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the 81-year-old woman would often stop to chat with Shaun Wynne and give him money as he sat outside the Asda store at Astley Bridge.

Sarah Cook, prosecuting, said: "They knew each other in passing. The defendant, from time-to-time sits outside the Asda store asking for spare change and sometimes she gives it to him."

The pensioner was not aware he knew where she lived until he turned up at her home nearby on January 5 asking for a drink.

"When she went to get him a drink she left him at the door. Whilst she was in the kitchen the defendant went into the house and took her handbag which she had left on the dining chair," said Miss Cook.

Later in the day the pensioner realised the bag had gone and her bank card was used in local shops four times to buy items worth a total of more than £34.

Wynne was identified from a shop's CCTV and he was arrested.

Wynne, aged 38, of Cobden Street, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to burglary and four counts of fraud. The court heard he already has 23 convictions for 50 previous offences.

Colin Buckle, defending said Wynne had committed the offence in order to pay for drugs and called at her home after seeing her in her window as he walked past.

"He saw the complainant at her address, knew where she lived, went without agenda or intention, knocked on the door, saw the bag and made a poor decision to take it," he said.

Wynne lived nearby and and Judge Timothy Stead described his claim to be needing a drink from the pensioner as "preposterous".

"He lives in the vicinity, can't he get his own drink?" asked the judge.

Mr Buckle stressed that Wynne has "issues" with drugs and a lack of stable accommodation.

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced Wynne to 16 months in prison.

"Someone who had shown you kindness was rewarded in this way and I like to think that you know your response to it was a shameful one," he said.

Wynne, who appeared in court over a video link from prison, replied: "I feel ashamed of myself for doing what I have done.

"I have got to live with it every day. I would like to apologise and I am sincerely sorry from the bottom of my heart."