A man who targeted a pensioner as she shopped in Morrisons before robbing her has been jailed for more than three years.

Kieran O’Keefe, aged 33, of no fixed abode, has been found guilty following a three-day trial at Reading Crown Court of one count of robbery and three counts of fraud.

He was subsequently sentenced to three years and one month in prison.

It comes after O'Keefe preyed on his victim, a woman in her eighties, as she shopped in the Morrison's store in Basingstoke Road around 8.40am on March 28 this year.

Kieran O’Keefe, aged 33, of no fixed abode, has been found guilty following a three-day trial at Reading Crown Court of one count of robbery and three counts of fraud.Kieran O’Keefe, aged 33, of no fixed abode, has been found guilty following a three-day trial at Reading Crown Court of one count of robbery and three counts of fraud. (Image: TVP)

O’Keefe was seen on CCTV following the victim, loitering outside the store until she finished her shopping.

He then followed the victim to her car, pushing her from behind and tried to snatch her bag.

After this, O’Keefe opened her bag and stole her purse, before cycling away.

Later that day, O’Keefe was seen in CCTV entering the One Stop Shop on Northumberland Avenue with a woman’s purse in his hands.

He walked around the shop, while checking the contents of the purse, before buying tobacco with the victim’s bankcard.

O’Keefe then left the store, but returned again to buy more tobacco, in a tactic called 'milking the cards' which is common for fraudsters.

O’Keefe later entered the Reading Food Centre and again used the victim’s cards to purchase tobacco.

He was arrested on 20 May and was charged the following day. 

Investigating officer Detective Constable Berké Kircali, of the Reading Priority Crime Team, said: “The victim in this case showed great patience and strength throughout this investigation and trial.

“O’Keefe deliberately targeted an elderly victim, stealing her purse and using her card on a number of occasions for his own gain.

“To target the most elderly in our society is abhorrent, and I am pleased that the courts recognised the seriousness of O’Keefe’s crimes and sent him to prison.

“Opportunistic offenders such as O’Keefe target people that they deem to be vulnerable, and I would urge the public to be vigilant against such people. If you see anything that you believe looks suspicious, please report this to the police.”