TWO women have been jailed after tricking a blind man into letting them into his home then stealing his wallet and a mobile phone.

He was entering his home in The Hides, Harlow, on Saturday June 11 when Sarah Lodge and Rachel Kirton approached him and asked to use the toilet.

The 43-year-old victim let them in and Kirton headed for the bathroom after shutting the door to the lounge, where he remained with Lodge.

While she was out of view, Kirton, 40, went through the man’s bag, which was in the hallway.

After returning to the room, she and Lodge, 37, pestered him for money to buy vodka, which he refused.

They then began walking around his home, ignoring his requests to leave. Kirton picked up a can of cider and drank some before emptying the rest over a table.

After they left, the victim found his wallet, a mobile phone, a bank card, travel card, £10 cash and a magnifying glass that he needs for reading had been stolen.

Police found and arrested Lodge and Kirton within eight minutes in Post Office Walk.

They were both charged with burglary. Lodge, unemployed, of South Street, Rainham, admitted the offence when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 11. Kirton, unemployed, of Kingsland, Harlow, admitted the charge at the same court on July 13.

They were each sentenced to 30 months today, Friday July 15.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Leo Fordham, of Harlow CID, said after the hearing: “This was a despicable crime against a very vulnerable victim and credit should be given to the officers who initially attended the incident for arresting the pair so quickly.”