A "proud" pensioner died just three weeks after being hoodwinked by a heartless burglar who stole hundreds of pounds.

Now the family of kindly Ruth Jarvis believe the break in contributed to her death in August this year.

Vile Ian Bullen, 48, spotted his 84-year-old victim returning from a shopping trip to her home in Upper Queens Road, Ashford in July and followed her.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the raider struck up a conversation about double glazing, pretending to be a good Samaritan, and opened the door for her.

After the two talked in the dining room, where she recalled him writing or drawing on a piece of paper, the mean thief asked to use the toilet.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said Mrs Jarvis, who was suffering from the early stages of dementia, became concerned at the length of time he was away.

She said the worried pensioner went upstairs to investigate as Bullen came out of her bedroom and pushed past her and fled the house.

A shaking and distressed Ms Jarvis contacted a neighbour who alerted police and forensic experts later found Bullen’s fingerprints on the piece of paper.

Distressed Ms Jarvis later discovered up to £700 had vanished along with her purse and bank cards.

Now jobless Bullen, of Musgrove, Ashford has been jailed for four years after admitting the burglary.

The court heard that he had committed three previous identical distraction burglaries - including one when he posed as a window cleaner -and is regarded a risk to vulnerable victims.

Ms Todd told Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl that Ms Jarvis died three weeks later and the family – who were in court – believe the stress of the incident contributed to her death.

The court heard how 48-year-old Bullen, who has alcohol issues, had met and married a woman after his last jail sentence – but the relationship barely lasted three months before she walked out on him and he returned to drinking.

Guy Wyatt, defending, said the serial thief was now “sorry and ashamed of his behaviour”.