A SERIAL criminal who preyed on a 93-year-old Hampshire widow was brought to justice - by her old-fashioned gesture of hospitality.

Mark Barney, 37, from Titchfield, was offered a cup of a coffee after tricking his way into unsuspecting Ivy Garrett's home and stealing £20 from her handbag.

But police nailed him after finding his fingerprints on the cup's saucer.

Barney initially denied stealing from the elderly Romsey woman.

Mrs Garrett would have been the oldest person to give evidence at Southampton Crown Court. But minutes before she was due to be picked up from her home, Barney admitted his deception to spare her the ordeal of having to enter the witness box.

Jailing him for three years, Judge John Boggis QC, said Barney was "a menace" whose actions were "despicable".

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, said Barney had offered to repair a crack in Mrs Garrett's roof.

She allowed him in but followed him about the house, even going upstairs to where he was inspecting the roof.

At one point she offered to make him a cup of coffee, leaving him in the lounge. While her back was turned, he repaid her hospitality by rifling her handbag and stealing £20. He then made excuses to return to his van and never returned.

However, he was trapped by leaving an incriminating fingerprint on the saucer.

After Barney had pleaded guilty, it was revealed he was no stranger to crime. His offending began in 1982 and his record totalled 17 convictions for 67 offences.

For Barney, of Tynefield Caravan Park, Titchfield, barrister Justin Gau admitted it had been an unpleasant distraction theft. But there had been no violence, no pressure and no threat made against Mrs Garrett.

After the hearing, DC Jeff Cox, the officer in the case, said the police were committed to bringing conmen who targeted the elderly to court.

"I had to obtain statements from nearly every resident in the road where Mrs Garrett lives to gather evidence to prove this case. The strong community spirit displayed by the residents was impressive and served to support a lengthy investigation.

"The local pub organised a collection to help the victim, and at a time when we read and hear about the breakdown in other communities, it is refreshing to see how people can still pull together to make a difference."