Published at 15:54, Wednesday, 07 November 2012

A father and son have been jailed for burgling the home of a 77-year-old deaf woman.

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Bryan Dance, 49, originally from Carlisle but now of Sherwood Avenue, Nottingham and Steven Dance, 25, from Borland Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, were sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court.

Dance senior, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to six years. His son, who admitted the charge, received four and a half years.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Chris Hind said it had been an "appalling crime against a vulnerable, elderly lady" and the sentences reflected the "dreadful nature" of the crime.

The court heard the incident took place on May 22 this year.

The victim - deaf from birth and limited in her communication skills - answered her door to the men, who pointed to a bag full of cloths, rubber gloves and batteries they were selling.

They followed her into the living room, she made them a cup of tea and bought £20 worth of items.

The Dances asked for a second drink and while the woman was out of the room, they searched her home and fled, taking cash and the items she had bought. In total, they stole £150.

They were in the woman's home for about 10 minutes.

Police were alerted to the incident by an employee of the charity Deaf Vision.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk