Burglar unmasked as elderly victim's neighbour

A violent burglar who was revealed to be her elderly victim's neighbour after relatives tore off her mask has been jailed.

Tracey Makings was identified when relations of the 96-year-old, who were staying at the woman's Northampton home for Christmas, managed to intervene.

She was sentenced to five years and four months in prison after admitting burglary and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the town's crown court.

Northamptonshire Police said Makings, 50, had "targeted someone she knew would be unable to stand up for herself".

Officers said Makings broke into the woman's home while wearing a black surgical face mask on 23 December 2023.

Thinking the neighbour would be alone, they said she entered the victim's bedroom and threatened her, demanded money and pulled the woman off her bed.

Relatives who were staying at the house intervened and managed to take the mask off the intruder's face and identify Makings.

She admitted the offences last month and was sentenced by the same court on Monday.

Det Ch Insp Nick Peters, said Makings "deliberately targeted someone she knew would be unable to stand-up for herself and demanded money before assaulting her".

"This was a truly despicable crime which has had a lasting impact on the victim and her family," he added.

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