A BURGLAR who stole a wallet from his victim's walking frame after breaking into his home has been jailed for 32 months.

Robert John Richmond targeted the man after previously carrying out gardening work at his home in Bournemouth's Alum Chine.

The homeless 33-year-old was jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday March 27 after admitting a charge of burglary.

The court heard that at around 7pm on Friday January 17 the victim found Richmond standing in his hallway. He appeared to be intoxicated and demanded £500 in cash.

Richmond then took the victim’s wallet, which was in the front basket of a walking frame, and left the property.

A neighbour then alerted the victim to the fact that Richmond was still on the property, tampering with a garage door. When challenged, Richmond apologised and cycled away on his bicycle.

It was at this point that the victim realised his wallet had been taken. It was later located on the victim’s driveway, with bank cards still inside.

Richmond was seen on CCTV to enter The Westbourne pub at 7.50pm the same day, before being asked to leave by staff five minutes later due to being intoxicated.

The victim’s driving license was returned the next morning by a member of the public who found it outside the pub.

On Wednesday February 5 Richmond was located by officers in Richmond Park Road in Bournemouth and was arrested.

Detective Constable Christian Bryant, of Dorset Police, said: “I am pleased that through our investigation we were able to identify Robert Richmond as the man responsible for this offence and bring him before the court.

“This was a distressing incident for the victim and we will do all we can to ensure those who commit burglaries are identified and held accountable for their actions.”