A door-to-door salesman told how he conned his way into the home of a vulnerable elderly women before stealing cash from her.

Alexander Steine – who has 78 previous offences on his record – won the trust of his 83-year-old victim by telling her his grandfather lived in a flat above her.

The career criminal and drug addict described it as “a white lie” he often used to get him in the door to sell the wares he was peddling illegally.

On entering the flat in Davie Close, Sheerness, he rushed past Jean Paterson and went into her bedroom before stealing £50 from her purse.

Steine, of Southwood Road, Ramsgate, admitted burglary and was jailed for four years after a judge said he was “entirely devoid of remorse”.

“You regret you have to go to prison, you regret the impact on your fiancee and son, but most significantly you regret the impact on you” - Judge Jonathan Carroll

Judge Jonathan Carroll added: “The only remorse or regret you have is regret for your own situation.

“You regret you have to go to prison, you regret the impact on your fiancee and son, but most significantly you regret the impact on you.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mrs Paterson, who is partially sighted, partially deaf, suffers from epilepsy and was battling leukaemia, was home alone at the sheltered accommodation on November 19 last year.

Steine, 41, was able to get through the secure front entrance by persuading another resident to let him in.

Once in, he asked the resident his victim’s name.

Prosecutor Trevor Wright said Steine put a holdall on the bed and took out Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

Mrs Paterson decided to buy some Christmas cards and gave him £10. But Steine told her the cost was £19.

“She didn’t think they were worth that much but thought she had better give him the rest because he kept telling her she owed the money.

“She took her purse and put it on the bed. He took her purse and took money out. He bundled everything into his bag and ran out of the flat.”

“I do tell a white lie and say my grandfather lives nearby because it puts people at ease and I get more money selling my wares" - Alexander Steine

Police were able to identify Steine from palm or fingerprints on items he left at the scene.

It was his third domestic burglary, which meant he faced a three-year minimum sentence – but the judge said he emphasised the word minimum.

He increased it to four years after finding it came into a “greater harm” category.

“You are persistently and consistently a thoroughly dishonest person,” he told Steine.

Steine said in evidence he had been addicted to heroin and cocaine ever since committing his first burglary 18 years ago.

He had tried to give up drugs, he said, and breached a drug rehabilitation order so that he could go to prison to be away from temptation.

He was jailed last May and released in August. Three months later he committed the latest offence.

Steine said he was forced to be an illegal pedlar because his chances of getting another job were “pretty much zero”.

He denied targeting Mrs Paterson because of her age. He arrived in Sheerness by train, he said, and made door-to-door calls.

“I ended up at this unfortunate lady’s door,” he admitted. “I knew she lived in an area for retired people. It was obvious.

“It was a stupid thing to do. I didn’t go into her flat with the thought of stealing.

“It was only when the purse was given to me I stupidly took the money. She gave me the purse and told me to take £10. I took more.”

He continued:“I do tell a white lie and say my grandfather lives nearby because it puts people at ease and I get more money selling my wares.

“I didn’t walk past her. I always sell at the door. I said if I sell a certain amount today I will be given a full-time job.

"This is another white lie I use every time.”

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