A MODEL who stole from pensioners to feed her crack cocaine habit wept after being told she will escape jail if she can stay off drugs.

Dionne Gaye, of Carlton Terrace, Wanstead, was ordered to pay back her victims as Judge Sarah Paneth deferred sentence for six months at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week (June 14).

The 38-year-old pocketed cash from elderly women in Wanstead, Hainault, and Chigwell, who kindly offered to help her when she knocked on their doors asking for favours.

Gaye first approached the Logan family in Robinia Close, Hainault, on Boxing Day last year.

Knocking on their door she told them she needed to use their phone and Alma Logan let her in.

Mrs Logan's daughter was suspicious but allowed her to enter when her mother said she had seen Gaye before.

They realised later that evening Mrs Logan's purse was missing, with £40 and her house keys inside and reported her to the police.

Gaye struck at a nearby home in Oakmoor Way, Chigwell, on January 13 after telling Christine Horton she needed money for a taxi home.

She promised to return with the £25 fare and gave her previous victim's stolen purse as proof that she would come back.

When she did not Ms Horton found Mrs Logan's details in the bag and telephoned her. They then realised they had both fallen victim to Gaye's crimes.

The thief was arrested and bailed, but on January 29 she targeted 84 year-old ex-nurse Christine Bennett in Grove Park, Wanstead.

Gaye told Ms Bennett she was soaking wet from the heavy rain and needed to borrow a towel.

While Ms Bennett kindly fetched her one, Gaye helped herself to her handbag containing £35.

Judge Paneth told her to pay a total of £445 to her victims after she pleaded guilty to all three burglaries.

Addressing Gaye's lawyer, Genevieve Moss, Judge Paneth said: “Your client maintains that this is not something she is going to do again.

“I don't have any confidence in her.

“She is a woman who targeted old ladies and she did so repeatedly.

“She did so after she had been arrested and was on bail.

“Because she is a first offender I'm going to give her an opportunity to demonstrate that she is capable of change, and live a drug free life.

“These are serious offences only because of your age and previous good character that I'm prepared to give you the chance to show the court real remorse.'

She left the dock in tears.