A woman has been found guilty of killing a pensioner who had a heart attack when she burgled him to steal tobacco.
William 'Billy' Jackson, 71, went into cardiac arrest when Sarah Daniel broke into his home in Washington. Daniel has been convicted of manslaughter while David Bulmer was cleared of the charge.
Daniel and her partner, Leanne English, had plotted to raid Mr Jackson's home and they also preyed on another vulnerable man.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Jackson lived in the Concord area of Washington and had advanced heart disease, diabetes and mobility issues - which meant he used a scooter to get around outside and would spend most of his time at home sitting in a fishing chair in his kitchen as it was the most comfortable position he could achieve, so much so he slept there too.
The court heard he was quite well known in the area as he sold tobacco and cigarettes. On September 24 last year, Daniel and English hatched a plan to trick their way in to steal his tobacco. It was not said English took part in the raid.
Jurors were told Mr Jackson's neighbour heard voices and then the door open and saw figures emerging. He gave chase but could keep up and returned home.
Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC said: "He went back to Mr Jackson's flat and sadly found him slumped on the kitchen floor and unconscious. He had suffered cardiac arrest. Paramedics kept him alive until he reached hospital but he sadly died in the early hours of the next morning after a series of further cardiac arrests."
The prosecutor added: "We say he died because he was subjected to that stressful ordeal. The pathologist who carried out a post mortem said he would not have died at that moment were it not for the stressful event that we say happened.
"The prosecution say he died because of the stress caused by being the victim of the burglary. The prosecution say any sober, reasonable person would realise if you burgle somebody's home while they are present, that's an act that exposes that person to the risk of some harm. That extends to shock."
A second victim, Barry Clark, lived alone in the Sulgrave area of Washington and was befriended by his neighbours, Daniel and English. Mr Hill said: "We say they took advantage of him.
"He was the victim, initially, of an assault and a fraud then he was beaten in his own home and items were taken during the course of an aggravated burglary by Daniel and Bulmer."
The court heard Mr Clark had allowed Daniel and English to borrow money on occasions but refused when they failed to pay him back. They would visit to have a drink and got him to allow them to use his bank account to pay money in.
In June last year English grabbed Mr Clark and held him in an underpass while Daniel took his wallet from his jeans pocket, containing his bank card and phone. She is then said to have run off and withdrawn £290 fraudulently, leaving just £10 in the account.
On September 17 last year, Daniel and Bulmer went to Mr Clark's home around 12pm, pushed him down the hallway and into the living room and that Bulmer "screamed" that he owed his friend money and hit his legs with a metal baseball bat, causing injuries, while Daniel took his wallet, containing £30, from his pocket. It's said she then took £200 cash from a coffee table.
The pair are said to have gone to local shop and bought items with the stolen card before returning it through his door.
Daniel, 33, of Waterloo Walk, Washington, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to burgle Mr Jackson and aggravated burglary and two counts of fraud in relation to Mr Clark.
Bulmer, 20, of Barmston Way, Washington was found guilty of aggravated burglary in relation to Mr Clark but not guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to burgle Mr Jackson. He had admitted presence at the burglary of Mr Jackson but denied any wrongdoing.
Leanne English, 39, of Waterloo Walk, was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle Mr Jackson and common assault on Mr Clark.
All three were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 8.
