A ‘DESPICABLE’ 50-year-old woman from Crewe who systematically preyed on the elderly in their own homes has been jailed.

Tracy Skeldon, 50, formerly of Halton Drive, Crewe, was sentenced to a total of three years and 4 months at Chester Crown Court on Friday, February 5, 2016.

She pleaded guilty to nine counts of burglary.

Skeldon deliberately targeted vulnerable elderly people between the ages of 70 and 96 in their own homes, often while they were asleep and causing trauma to these victims and their family.

She used the knowledge that she had obtained through her work as a responder for a local company and breached the trust that had been placed in her, having a major effect on the community.

In his closing statement, Judge Roger Dutton, said: “What you did to these elderly and insecure victims was to treat them as ‘easy meat’.

“All were vulnerable and infirm and you took cash and items of extreme sentimental value, which can never be replaced. You stooped so low as to pray on these people, which beggars belief.

“You were a scheming thoroughly dishonest person.”

Following the sentencing, DC Dave Newton from Crewe Local Policing Team, said the verdict has finally brought closure to Skeldon’s victims.

He said: “This was an extremely sad case, where elderly, vulnerable victims have lost trust in people that are supposed to care for them.

“Today’s sentence has bought closure for these victims, who have often blamed their own family members and carers they have known for years.

“These victims were targeted because of their age and Skeldon was fully aware of their vulnerability. Her actions were totally despicable.”