More on KentOnline
A second person has been jailed for distracting a terminally ill pensioner so her accomplice could steal cash he was saving for his own funeral.
Paris Campbell-Mitchell was sent to in prison for her role in the crime, which left Ramsgate man Terry Price “with nothing”.
The 66-year-old died after a lengthy cancer battle in January, just weeks after the crime, but told KentOnline at the time of the burglary he “wanted the scum to be punished”.
The offence took place on the afternoon of November 12 last year, when Campbell-Mitchell visited the victim – who she knew – at his home in Leopold Road and convinced him to go shopping with her.
While she and the victim were out, Mark Queen entered the property and emptied a cash box beside his bed of all of its contents.
Messages recovered by police during the ensuing investigation showed Campbell-Mitchell, of Victoria Road, Ramsgate asking Queen: 'How much you got?'.
He replied: 'Dead on 3', believed to refer to the £3,000 stolen from Mr Price.
When she was arrested on Friday, November 25, Campbell-Mitchell was found in possession of £300 in cash, as well as a recently purchased iPad and Nintendo Switch.
The 26-year-old was told given a 34-month prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday after admitting burglary at an earlier hearing.
Queen was jailed for three years and four months at the same court for the same offence in February this year.
Investigating officer PC Joshua O'Donnell said: “This was a despicable offence committed against a man who was very sadly in the final weeks of his life.
“I am sad he did not live to hear that those who committed the offence have been sent to prison, but I know he appreciated the help and support offered to him by the local community following the burglary.
“Kent Police is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of society and my officers will follow every line of enquiry to bring offenders of this kind to justice.”
More than £8,000 was raised for Mr Price through a fundraiser as news of his ordeal spread.
The pensioner was described as a “diamond geezer” who was loved by everyone.