A man has been sent to prison after burgling the home of a 79 year-old church worker in what police called a “despicable breach of trust”.

“Christopher Pearson, 38, had met the victim many times when he visited a church for coffee and cake sessions and the two knew each other well,” a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said.

“The pensioner had previously helped him to pay bills but on this occasion Pearson pestered the victim to give him £20 by repeatedly messaging.

“The pensioner agreed to give the cash when he returned home in a few days, but Pearson was impatient, sending a string of messages demanding the money now.

“Pearson of Eastfield Road, Peterborough, was so desperate to get cash for drugs, he broke into the pensioner’s home in the Millfield area in October 2024.

“As he smashed the back door glass, Pearson cut his hand, leaving vital evidence at the scene, before stealing a TV, sound bar, laptop and 150 Euros - totalling nearly £1,600 in value.

“Later the same day, he was reported to the police stealing a bike at the city’s train station. He had grabbed the door to the key-fob controlled bike hub as someone was leaving, wedging it open with his bike.

“Using snips to break the lock, he cycled off with both bikes not realising police had been alerted, who arrested him shortly afterwards.”

Police said Pearson initially denied the offences, but in July he pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of a pedal cycle, going equipped and failing to surrender to court and on 8 January was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court.

DC Megan Sims commented: “Pearson broke into the home of a kind-hearted man who had regularly helped him out with his bills. It was a despicable breach of trust which disappointed the victim who knew Pearson well.”

For more information about securing your home, visit the burglary prevention pages on the police website.