A JUDGE branded a man who stole cash from pensioners as a "parasite" who preyed on vulnerable people.

Twice Andrew Brindle pretended one of his parents had died in order to gain access to their homes and then to their purses.

Brindle had been a promising student, with three 'A' levels but dropped out of university after falling victim to heroin addiction.

He then lived rough for 18 months before targeting pensioners out of desperation for cash.

Brindle, aged 29, formerly of Lower Broughton Road, Salford, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

He had earlier admitted to three burglaries of pensioner's homes in the Bury area.

Judge Bruce Macmillan jailed him for three-and-a-half years.

The court was told that Brindle visited the first pensioner's home on May 19. She was elderly and walked with the aid of a frame.

He told her his mother had died the previous day and he wanted to leave a message for neighbours.

Brindle asked her to exchange four 5p pieces for a 20p coin. While she was getting him an envelope he stole her purse containing £60.

He then used the same trick again on two other elderly victims during which he stole a total of £80.

The court heard that Brindle had showed genuine remorse and that he had been desperate and had taken the cash to feed his heroin addiction.

Judge Macmillan said: " You targeted elderly ladies and talked your way into their homes and you stole money from them.

"Parasites who prey on elderly ladies, destroying their confidence in their own homes and make them afraid to open the door because men like you, drug addicts, may enter and steal their property."