Three men who preyed on an elderly woman at her Kensington home, repeatedly turning up and aggressively begging for money, have been locked up.
The trio were the most persistent of a group who would appear at the pensioner's door at all hours of the day and night over a seven-month period, harassing her into handing over cash.
Police said the woman, who is in her 80s, was too scared to refuse their requests and felt frightened and distressed in her own home.
Tom Lonsdale, Joseph Carlisle and Andrew McCrae were all convicted of harassment and between them were sentenced to more than a year behind bars.
The woman's ordeal began when she spotted McCrae begging in the street and gave him £5, said police.
When he saw her again he offered to carry her shopping, claiming the gesture was in return for her generosity.
But having discovered her address he and others constantly called and harassed her for money - in his case telling her the cash was for tools and clothes, when he actually spent it on drugs.
PC Colin McMeekin, of Kensington & Chelsea's Community Safety Unit, who led the investigation, said the trio's sentences were fully deserved.
'These men exploited her good nature'
"These men preyed on an elderly woman who was trying to be charitable, but these men exploited her good nature and harassed her, taking her money under false pretences," he said.
"The victim was made to feel that she was being pursued in her own home and the custodial sentences are fully deserved."
Lonsdale, 44, of Cromwell Road, Kensington, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court on August 17, where he admitted one count of harassment of an elderly woman.
He was sentenced to seven weeks in prison and was given a restraining order to protect his victim.
The court heard how he had repeatedly attended the woman's home asking for money, despite her pleas to leave her alone.
Joseph Carlisle, 27, of Wimbledon Hill Road, Wimbledon, admitted harassment and three counts of fraud.
He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday (August 31) to 11-and-a-half months' imprisonment, and was also issued with a restraining order.
Police said he had also harassed the victim for money which he used to buy drugs, and had fraudulently claimed he needed money for other reasons including for a taxi fare.
McCrae, 44, of Warwick Road, Kensington, admitted harassment and was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday (August 29) to 17 weeks in prison. He was also handed a restraining order.
Police said they are still trying to trace others who harassed the woman for money.
Anyone experiencing any harassment should call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also visit the Met's website to report crime.
