A violent robber and his accomplice girlfriend who targeted sheltered accommodation residents in Wood Green were sentenced on Thursday, 14 December.

Kevin Kelly, 30 (12.11.87) of Tottenham Lane, N8 and his girlfriend Hayley Read, 24 (08.05.93) of Bracknell Close, N22, embarked on a spree of robberies targeting elderly women whilst they slept.

Kelly was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and a further five years on extended licence after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery at Wood Green Crown Court.

Hayley was handed a two-year suspended sentence, 200 hours of community service and a 25-day rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary at the same court.

At about 04:00hrs on Thursday, 4 May, Kelly broke into an address on Bracknell Close, whilst Read acted as a lookout. Kelly woke up a partially blind victim by screaming for money and intrusively searching her room before making off with cash from the premises.

On the same day, the duo made their way to a second address on the same road where a 72-year-old woman was asleep. The victim awoke to find the couple searching her house.

The woman was beaten to the floor and suffered bruising to her body before the couple made off through a balcony after attempting to steal a TV.

The couple were identified from CCTV enquiries and were arrested by officers on Thursday, 11 May.

Kelly was also been handed a further 30-month concurrent sentence for a separate burglary offence which he committed at an address in Church End on Saturday, 6 May. On this occasion he gained entry through a rear window before searching the premises – nothing is believed to have been stolen.

Detective Constable James Byrne, from Haringey Robbery Squad, said: “This was a complex offence involving a range of enquiries including CCTV and forensics. We also worked closely with our partners at Haringey Council.

“The vulnerability factor of the victims was a clear aggravating feature.

“Offences like this will not be tolerated and Haringey Police will robustly investigate crimes of this nature.

“I would also like to pass on my thanks to ‘Homes for Haringey’ for their victim support and assistance to police investigating this matter.”