By Hayley Robinson

A man who admitted burgling and robbing an elderly Sittingbourne woman has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Alfred Rossiter, 40, of Hart Dyke Road, Swanley, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and one of robbery and appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, 1 December 2009.

Two of the burglaries and the robbery took place at 74-year-old Janet Hodges’ home in College Road, Sittingbourne.

Miss Hodges was in her garden on September 17, 2008, when Rossiter walked past and offered to carry out some odd jobs for her. Helped by an accomplice he then distracted her, went into the house and stole £100.

Then on the night of October 2, 2008, Miss Hodges was upstairs asleep when she heard banging at the front door. Rossiter forced his way in, demanded money and hit her around the head several times before taking £3,000.

During the struggle the pensioner managed to strike Rossiter with her telephone as she tried to call the police. Although not visibly injured Miss Hodges was treated in hospital for shock following the incident.

Police were called by a next-door neighbour who heard Miss Hodges calling for help. When officers arrived they found a car speeding away from the location. Two men were subsequently arrested by police. Tom Scott, aged 39, from Wentworth, Cambridgeshire, was charged with burglary and Ian Clarke, aged 40, from Fordham, Cambridgeshire, was charged with burglary and dangerous driving.

Both men, who had earlier pleaded guilty, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, December 1, where Scott was sentenced to nine months and Clarke was sentenced to 15 months and was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Forensic evidence linked Rossiter to both crimes. The 40-year-old, who also admitted a burglary in South East London, was described as a “career criminal” by Recorder Sara Staite.

She said Rossiter would be eligible to be released on licence after he had served half his sentence.

PC Gary Stamp of Mid Kent’s Area Major Enquiry Team, who led the investigation, said he was pleased with all three sentences, which, he said, reflected the seriousness of the crimes.

He said: “Rossiter was a coward who preyed on an elderly lady who he knew lived alone. He showed no remorse in court."

Miss Hodges paid tribute to PC Stamp and the Area Major Enquiry Team for their hard work and professionalism throughout the case.

She said: “The police did a very good job and they have supported me really well over the past year. It was a terrifying ordeal and I’m glad it’s finally over. When I heard about the sentence I felt huge relief. I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I went through."