A crook with a record for conning the elderly over home security systems is behind bars for six months, after he terrorised an 84-year-old woman into handing over cash.

 David Graham Fricker, 44, of Newcomen Road, Dartmouth, put pressure on the vulnerable pensioner from Hyndburn, Lancashire, for money for work she didn't want and even took payment off her while she was sobbing in front of him, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told Fricker had turned up at the victim's home in early 2013 and told her he and two men with him fitted security equipment. She told him she didn't want any and couldn't afford it, but Fricker was 'very persuasive and wouldn't take no for an answer'.

He then walked into her kitchen and kept her talking while the two other men did something outside. She eventually handed over £130 for a camera as she was so frightened.  

 David Traynor, prosecuting for the Lancashire Trading Standards, continued: 'She says tears were literally dripping down her face, but the defendant was not bothered and took the cash.

'Even at this stage, the victim was telling the defendant that she did not want the equipment, but he ignored her.

'As he was leaving, he told her that he would be back in two weeks for the rest of the money.'

 The court was told months later, Fricker returned, this time with one other man, put his foot in the door and pushed the victim so he could get inside.

Again, he occupied the pensioner in the kitchen while the other man was busy elsewhere. Two hours later, she was shown an intercom system, she said she did not want it, but handed over £130 as she was scared. She later took the system down herself and paid £11 to post it to an address on a leaflet, but it was returned.

The prosecutor continued: 'On one of the occasions that work was being carried out at the house, an oxygen tube was cut through by the workmen, leaving a gap of one metre. This tube ran from the bedroom of the victim, where there was an oxygen tank, down to the lounge and was used by her for difficulties with her breathing.'

Fricker had earlier admitted two counts of engaging in an aggressive commercial practice.

Recorder Raymond Herman locked him up and also ordered he pay £271 compensation to his victim, £1,000 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

The defendant had already received a 16-week suspended sentence at Preston Crown Court, after he had called at sheltered accommodation in the Blackpool area with an accomplice, between December 2008 and March 2009, trying to sell overpriced door security systems.