A HUSBAND and wife team of tricksters who targeted the old and frail have been jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard that among the victims of Jason and Margaret Gorton, both 23, were a wheelchair-bound pensioner and an 88-year-old.

Sentencing the heroin-addicted couple who have a five-year-old son, Judge Reginald Lockett said what they had done was "mean and despicable".

Jason Gorton, of Girwan Grove, Burnley, received a three year jail term, after admitting two burglaries of houses, one commercial burglary, two allegations of handling stolen goods and possessing heroin.

Margaret Gorton, of the same address, pleaded guilty to three house burglaries and theft and was given two-and-a-half years. The court was told that one victim thought Margaret Gorton was her home help. Only after she left did she find cash had been taken from her handbag. Since the offence, the pensioner had been reluctant to answer the door to anybody.

Both defendants had a large number of previous convictions.

Dennis Watson, defending both, said they had pleaded guilty to a large number of offences, some brought from other courts. The elderly victims had not had to come to court and relive their ordeals. However, some of the complainants had infirmities over and above those normally attributed to their senior years.

Both the Gortons had been addicted to drugs and both led a "chaotic lifestyle".

Mr Watson said Jason Gorton knew he was staying in custody and was resolved to tackle his drugs problem. He knew that was the only future he would have for himself, for a life together with his wife and son.

Margaret Gorton had already begun work with a drugs counsellor while on remand at Risley. Her separation from her young son had obviously affected her, but she realised she should have thought about that before.

Mr Watson went on: "Their determination now to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start is perhaps the best hope for the future."

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