Lodgers jailed after stealing from elderly landlady

A couple have been jailed for stealing from an elderly woman who had put them up as lodgers.

37-year-old Asif Iqbal and 20-year-old Kaylee Waller, both from Heath Green Grove in Birmingham, preyed on the 81-year-old while living at her home in Kings Heath between March and April this year.

Iqbal first met the elderly woman at the end of March after calling to enquire about a spare room she was hoping to let. Despite being told it was for one occupant only, he later turned up with his girlfriend Waller, and pressurised the woman into letting them both stay.

Iqbal then persuaded the woman to write a letter to the benefits office, stating that both lodgers had been living there for longer so they could claim more money.

Whilst the couple were staying there, the 81-year-old had her personal belongings rifled through. They also took a number of sentimental jewellery items and money.

Police were able to catch up with the pair after the bank questioned two cheques they tried to cash under the woman’s name, which they had fraudulently written themselves.

They initially denied involvement and claimed the 81-year-old was lying - but later admitted to burglary and theft.

On sentencing, Judge Mukherjee said:

Iqbal was jailed for four and a half years and Waller was sentenced to two years and four months in a youth offenders institution.