A SERIAL burglar was sent packing during a house raid after his elderly victim told him she had a gun and wasn't afraid to use it.

Patrick Reilly, 39, of Gantock Close, Rusholme, was jailed for three years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court, for a string of burglaries.

Reilly admitted three counts of burglary and asked for a number of other crimes to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that on July 29, Reilly went into housing block for elderly people, on Wellington Road North, in Stockport, and began trying to get into doors.

He stole £80 and a bank card from a sleeping 88-year-old woman before sneaking into the home of her 78-year-old neighbour. However, he fled when the woman told him 'she had a gun and would use it if he didn't clear off'.

Days later Reilly pushed his friend, mum-of-eight Marlyn Branche, 32, into distracting an 83-year-old woman while he rifled through her belongings at an address in Whalley Range. He fled with jewellery worth about £200.

Witnesses

Reilly, was linked to the crime by CCTV and a witness recognised Branche.

After being arrested, Reilly allowed police to drive him around pointing out the scenes of his crimes, before showing them the places where he stashed stolen goods.

He admitted to burgling the homes of a 94-year-old in Levenshulme, a 65-year-old in Moss Side and an 85-year-old at Heaton Chapel.

Anthony Morris, defending, speaking of the time Reilly was threatened by the 78-year-old, said: "As nonsensical as the threat was, he is not so cynical as to have carried on looking for property."

Ms Branche, who was said to have led a 'troubled' life, was given a two-year supervision order after admitting one count of burglary.