A Gulf War veteran who took his elderly neighbour's life-savings before going abroad has avoided prison.
Andrew Rolfe, 63, told a court he was "repulsed" by his crime.
He was making a cup of tea for the 86-year-old victim while she was upset after finding out a loved one had died.
While her back was turned, Rolfe opened a drawer where he knew she stowed her money and took £900 in cash.
The victim saw him with one hand behind his back and when Rolfe left her home, found the missing money.
Several days later Rolfe went on holiday but when he returned he gave himself into police.
He admitted theft in a dwelling and when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to pay £185 costs, a £154 victim surcharge and £900 compensation.
Rolfe told JPs he had served in the army between 1976 and 1994, including being deployed in Iraq during the first Gulf War.
Chairman of the bench, Simon Egerton, said: "You had a high degree of trust and responsibility.
"The victim, just simply by her age, is vulnerable."
Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, said Rolfe got to know the victim as a neighbour in Droitwich, Worcs., before going on to do jobs for her.
She said: “He befriended her.
"So much so she gave him a set of keys to her house. She would give him money, going to the bank for her."
Mrs Afsar said on September 23 this year the victim was told a loved-one had died and Rolfe had offered to console her.
She said: "She was upset, crying.
"He comes in (using the keys) and consoles her. He said he would make her a cup of tea.
“The victim went into her living room but after getting concerned after not hearing the kettle boiling she found him with one hand behind his back in her room.”
Mrs Afsar said Rolfe abruptly left, claiming he had to go help someone else.
The victim then discovered £900 in an envelope in her bedroom drawer was gone.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said she didn't think she could get over what happened and added she would have given the money to Rolfe if he had asked.
Elle-May Macey, defending, said Rolfe was "extremely remorseful" and "repulsed" by what he had done.
She said: "He has tried to put it right.
"He tried to contact her to give the money back - he has brought the £900 with him today."
Miss Macey added that Rolfe had a brain injury and was getting support from the Headway charity.
