West London burglar jailed for longer

A woman who pretended to be a carer in order to steal from an elderly couple has had her sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Erica Norris, 36, knocked on the door of an elderly couple in Ealing on 1 April 2020 and pretended she was a carer. She walked into the house without permission from Robert Jones, 82, who was alone at the time. Norris stole a wallet and cash before leaving the property.

Norris returned to the house on 10 April. After knocking on the door she again entered without permission and began looking around the house for jewellery. A neighbour heard Norris in the property and called the police, who soon arrived and arrested Norris.

Norris was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months’ imprisonment on 16 June 2020 at Isleworth Crown Court. Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, on 20 October the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to 6 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.

After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:

Norris targeted a vulnerable, elderly couple during the pandemic and caused a significant amount of distress to the victims. The Court of Appeal has rightly increased her sentence today.