A MAN has been convicted of robbing an 80-year-old in his home on Deeside.
James Doran was also convicted of stealing about £1,000 from the victim, who has since died, after carrying out shoddy work at his home.
Doran, 28, who also faces sentence for blackmailing a man in his 70s, faces a long custodial sentence for targeting elderly people.
Yesterday Doran, of Howard Street in Connah’s Quay – who blamed his own brother for the robbery – was remanded in custody pending sentence.
He will be sentenced today at Mold Crown Court, sitting in Chester.
The jury heard how Doran, who has a previous conviction for robbing an elderly woman, offered to paint the front of the elderly man’s bungalow for £20, but then charged him £200.
He then returned to the man’s home on numerous occasions and demanded further £200 payments.
Prosecutor Nicholas Williams said Doran, on one occasion, lost his temper when the elderly man refused to pay and he robbed him by pinning him down on a bed by his arms and taking £200 from his back pocket.
Doran denied stealing about £1,000 between January and June of last year and robbing him of £200 on June 17.
He was convicted by the jury by a majority of 11 to one.
The court heard that, sadly, the complainant, Graham Edwards, had since died but a video recording of his police interview was played to the jury.
Doran initially lied and said he had never visited Mr Edwards and didn’t even know him.
His finger prints were later found on a £2,000 bill left at the victim’s home and the prosecution also said it was Doran’s hand writing.
He then changed his story and said he had carried out work for the pensioner for £200 but denied returning or robbing him.
In evidence Doran said his own brother had confided in him that he was responsible.
The victim, who lived at The Brambles in Shotton, told his brother what was going on and the police were alerted.
Mr Edwards was described as a frail old man who relied on carers visiting him three times a day to look after him.
Doran has a conviction for robbery dating back to January 2002 when he and two others forced entry into the home of an elderly lady who lived alone.
She had been restrained while they searched the house for money.
Doran also had a conviction for blackmail of an elderly man aged 71 in Connah’s Quay.
He had befriended the man who lived alone and then returned to his home on several occasions and made unwarranted demands for cash.
Doran will be sentenced for the new robbery, the theft and the blackmail today by Judge Dafydd Hughes.