Tania Hammond stole cigarettes from 90-year-old in Orange

Tania Louise Hammond, 36, of Leura Road, pleaded guilty to stealing property from a house.

According to police facts presented to the court, Hammond was stopped and spoken to by police after they saw her quickly following a 70-year-old man near some units that are inhabited by numerous people who are elderly or disadvantaged.

Hammond said she was running behind him because "he was going to give me some money".

However, after the police spoke to her she went to the man's home and asked to come in but he told her to go away and said "my dog bites".

Hammond then went to a another unit a few doors down where the 90-year-old woman was smoking. Hammond asked for a "smoke" and the elderly woman initially refused saying they were "too dear" but eventually handed one over.

Later on Hammond returned to the address and asked for another cigarette but the victim refused so Hammond asked for a drink of water instead. She was allowed into the home to get a glass of water.

After she finished the drink she asked for another cigarette but was again denied so Hammond took a small black purse that contained the cigarettes and left the house.

Magistrate David Day convicted Hammond and placed her on a two-year community correction order for the offence.

"The facts are worrying in that Miss Hammond was able to inveigle her way into a very vulnerable lady's home," Mr Day said.

"If Miss Hammond had a history of violence I would be very worried."

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