A HEROIN addict attacked and robbed a woman who had invited her into her home for a few drinks, a court heard.

When another drinker in their company left the house to go home, Helen Jones took advantage of the situation and suddenly turned on the shocked householder.

Durham Crown Court was told she grabbed her by the hair on a sofa and punched her several times before forcibly removing two rings from her fingers and a pendant and chai.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said during the attack Jones shouted: “I want it and I’m going to take it,” as the victim screamed for help.

She managed to run from the house, in Brandon, and police were summoned.

Jones also took the victim’s purse, containing £27, before fleeing prior to the arrival of officers, who recovered a bottle of gin from a recycling bin containing her finger prints.

Mr Sabiston said the two gold rings had the word ‘dad’ imprinted on them as they belonged to the victim’s late father and were of particular sentimental value.

As inquiries continued in the area the pendant was returned weeks later, posted through the owner’s letter box, but none of the other items were recovered.

It was not until the following April that Jones was picked out during a police identity procedure.

Mr Sabiston said the victim suffered bruising to her left arm and forehead, plus scratches to her legs.

Despite the length of time since the incident, on the evening of June 27, 2018, she still rarely stays overnight at her home, seeking refuge with friends.

Despite previous denials, Jones, 39, of Palm Lea, Brandon, changed her plea to guilty to robbery, with a trial looming on September 14.

The court heard she has 39 convictions for 83 offences, mostly for shop theft, but also including house burglary and drug supply conspiracy.

Robert Mochrie said the heroin addict has taken steps to address her drink and drug misuse, which has blighted her recent life, supported by the Probation Service.

Describing it as an “opportunistic” incident, Mr Mochrie urged Judge Ray Singh to “take an exceptional course” and pass a suspended sentence.

But Judge Singh said it was far too serious for him to impose anything other than an immediate sentence.

Jailing her for three years, he said the victim had lost sentimental items which were probably sold, “for a pittance” to feed Jones’ drug addiction.