by Keith Hunt

A desperate drug addict who threatened a disabled woman during a terrifying robbery in her home has been jailed for over five years.

Lee Eastwood escaped being locked up indefinitely for public protection but a judge imposed an extended sentence under which he will remain on licence for seven years.

Judge Jeremy Carey told the 24-year-old criminal it was a "particularly repulsive crime".

Maidstone Crown Court heard Eastwood called at the Edenbridge home of wheelchair-bound Susan Rowe, 59, under the pretence of retrieving a ball from her back garden.

The situation turned "extremely nasty", said the judge, when she became suspicious and refused to let in Eastwood and another man with him.

As she tried to close the door, Eastwood pushed past her. He then demanded cash and said he would kill her if she did not hand it over.

Eastwood took her purse containing about £100. He also demanded the jewellery she was wearing worth about £5,000.

As he left, he told Miss Rowe if she called the police he would return. None of the property was recovered.

He was said to be withdrawing from heroin, drinking heavily and taking cocaine and skunk cannabis at the time. He was introduced to heroin at the age of 13 by an uncle.

The father-of-two from Hanworth, Middlesex, admitted robbery.

Jailing Eastwood for five years two months, Judge Carey said he was satisfied the victim, badly injured in an accident 10 years ago, was targeted.

"This must have been a truly terrifying experience for this lady and one which the public would rightly regard as deeply undermining of the confidence people should have when they are in their homes they will not be subjected to any threat or molestation," he said.

"They are entitled to protection and reinforcement of the expectation they will be able to live in peace and those who threaten them will be dealt with severely."

The judge concluded that Eastwood was dangerous but said there was reason to believe he was realising he needed assistance and long-term rehabilitative care.

"Whether it can be sustained is quite another matter, since the pernicious effect of heroin is such that a relapse is probability rather than a possibility," he added.