A CALLOUS crook stole the life savings of a vulnerable Oldbury woman on her 89th birthday, a court heard.

Distraction burglar Wayne Green and an accomplice went to the victim's bungalow and when one of them took her into the back garden, the other took a tin containing the cash from a bedroom drawer.

Jailing him seven years, Nicholas Webb, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, told him: "The loss to this lady must be incalculable on an emotional level.

"This was as serious a burglary as the court can imagine."

Green, aged 33, was arrested the day after he raided the address, which was not revealed by the court to protect the victim.

He was identified as the culprit by the woman and a neighbour, who raised the alarm, said David Swinnerton, prosecuting.

At the time, Green was on bail after a bungled burglary at the Hot Shots Snooker Club, Crosswells Road, Oldbury, having been caught red-handed as he was stealing a safe containing £10,000.

Green, of Hurst Road, Smethwick, admitted burgling the club, but denied the distraction burglary.

However, a jury took just 18 minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

Green's accomplice has not yet been traced by police.

The neighbour, Andrew Watson, was given a £250 reward from public funds for his public-spirited actions leading to Green’s quick arrest.