A POOLE man has been found guilty of robbing a widow in her own home.

During a three-day trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, John Swanson, 21, had denied forcing his way into 58-year-old Theresa Hitchings's first-floor flat in Arne Avenue, Rossmore.

Jurors heard how Mrs Hitchings had been alone on the evening of January 24 this year when she heard a noise downstairs at her front door.

When she opened the door a man she recognised as Swanson's cousin, Joseph "Moddy" Johnson, asked if he could use her phone.

Mrs Hitchings refused and told him to go away. A short time later Johnson returned with Swanson and they managed to get past Mrs Hitchings.

After Johnson and Swanson left, Mrs Hitchings discovered her handbag, containing £6, had gone.

She told the court she had been so upset by the incident she had alerted the police.

PC Paul Gibson recalled how he had watched two men going from Arne Avenue into Cashmoor Close.

He shouted: "Stop, police" and drew his truncheon but they dis-appeared down a drive-way and over a fence.

When PC Gibson went to Swanson's Aspen Gardens home he found him in the hall dressed in his boxer shorts.

Johnson, who had hidden in an airing cupboard, later pleaded guilty to robbery. He was jailed for 10 years in August after admitting four robberies and one burglary of a post office.

Swanson refused to say whether he and his cousin had been together on January 24, maintaining he had been in bed for about an hour before the police arrived.

Swanson and Johnson were arrested following a special Poole CID operation was launched to target burglaries of elderly and vulnerable residents.

Recorder Peter Wright deferred Swanson's sentencing until November 12 for reports after jurors returned a unanimous guilty verdict on Wednesday. Swanson, who is in custody, will also be sentenced for one count of burglary.

First published: Oct 21