TWO women in their eighties have been left traumatised by a man purporting to be a gardener who stole cash from their homes.

Leo Temple, pictured, tricked his way into the houses of the 84 and 89-year-olds and took money from their purses.

A court heard both women are scared to go out and when they do, they are worried about leaving their homes.

Temple, 41, of Inworth Road, Inworth, was jailed for four years and eight months after he admitted burglary and theft.

Judge Karen Walden-Smith said courts had a duty to protect the old and vulnerable from people like Temple.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard his first victim was 89.

Temple saw her in the garden of her Lawford home on July 23.

Richard Stevens, prosecuting, said Temple told the woman he would cut her hedge, but she told him she already had a gardener.

Mr Stevens said Temple told her the gardener had hurt his hand, so the woman invited him inside.

Later she discovered her purse, containing about £50, had gone.

He saw the 84-year-old woman in the garden of her home, in Norwich, on August 9, and offered her a quote for cutting some trees.

The woman told him she already had a quote for the work and went to fetch it, telling Temple to remain outside.

The woman became suspicious and went to find a neighbour, but the person she sought was not at home.

Mr Stevens said Temple was gone – and so was about £1,300 from her purse.

Richard Conley, mitigating, said the incident had taken place during a turbulent period in Temple’s life, and he wants to reform.