A WOMAN who targeted an 84-year-old disabled, frail man as she continued her campaign against vulnerable people has received an eight-year extended prison sentence.

Blackmailer, robber and burglar Coraleena Hunter has already served lengthy prison sentences for other offences against elderly people, including using sex against them.

Five neighbours and market traders have won public rewards for their public-spirited actions in trying to protect her latest victim from her money-grabbing crimes.

Describing her latest crimes as "grotesque", the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC told her: "You have shown absolutely no regard for him, his feelings, his privacy, his life. What you have done to him mirrors what you have done before."

Andrew Dallas, prosecuting, told York Crown Court how Hunter had invited herself to the 84-year-old man's flat at 10pm, forced herself sexually on him when he was in bed and couldn't get out, slept in his bed despite him asking her to leave his house, and stole cash from his bedside drawer when she woke.

On another day she pushed him to the ground in an alleyway near Shambles Market and took his pension off him. She claimed to a neighbour and market traders she was his carer.

The victim has learning disabilities, cannot read or write, suffers from epilepsy, recently had a heart attack and can only walk with a walking frame.

Witnesses described how her actions reduced him to tears and how Hunter continued to rifle through his pockets or took him away to rob him even when they challenged her and tried to stop her.

Hunter, 36, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft, robbery and two burglaries. She was given an eight-year extended sentence consisting of a four-year prison sentence plus four years' supervision by the probation service.

She was jailed for four years in 2006 for theft and blackmail of a 70-year-old York man with cerebral palsy. She slept in his bed and threatened to cry rape if he didn't let her do what she wanted, and stole his money, CDs and DVDs.

In 2010 she was jailed for five years for theft and robbery of victims who were aged 72 and 85, and shortly before she befriended the 84-year-old man, was released from an eight-week prison sentence for offences against a 75-year-old.

Her barrister Chris Dunn said: "She has been so significantly damaged by her background and her upbringing she cannot tell right from wrong. The only explanation (for her crimes) is this woman cannot help herself. That isn't her fault. She lacks the facilities we take for granted. I am asking for mercy."

He handed in a psychological report which said Hunter could be diagnosed as having an anti-social personality order.

York Press:

York Market where Coraleena Hunter told traders she was the victim's carer.

The five public-spirited members of the public who will all receive commendations and £100 from the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire are neighbours - Nicola Sellers, Alistair Fawcett and Oliver Darbyshire, and market traders Carmela and Jo Tolomeo who run Newgate Hog Roast.

Judge Paul Batty QC said: "The only good to come out of this case are the actions of the good people of York."

He heard that Mrs Sellers helped the 84-year-old on a voluntary basis. On October 21, she had taken him home after they had had tea together, when Hunter barged into the flat, tried to push the victim against the wall of his hallway and claimed to be his carer. Mrs Sellers challenged her and when Hunter refused to go, the neighbour went into another room to set off the internal warden's alarm and phone the police. As she did, Hunter rifled through his pockets.

The next morning Carmela and Jo Tolomeo tried to stop Hunter taking the 84-year-old man away from their market business where he was a regular customer and had just bought his lunch. Hunter again claimed to be his carer, saying: "He is coming with me." Despite their efforts urging him to stay and not go with him, she took him away and robbed him.

On October 24, Mr Fawcett and Mr Darbyshire saw Hunter bang on the victim's door and when he answered, she barged in, despite him saying "Get out of my house". They went up to the door, told her they had called police and when she fled, they followed, telling police by phone where she was until she was arrested.