A crack-cocaine addict who befriended a 97-year-old disabled war veteran to steal nearly £2000 from him has been jailed.

Michael Angelo Sagnibene, 39, was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday. (September 20)

Sangnibene, of Hilliers Lane, Beddington, made friends with the elderly man over several months and plotted to steal the man's mobility scooter savings. 

After learning his victim kept his bank card and pin number at his carers house nearby, Sangnibene used the key under the carers mat to get in and steal them.

Sagnibene withdrew £1,700 money from the victim's bank account using two cash machines - one inside Krishen Newsagents in Croydon Road and one outside Beddington Glass, also in Croydon Road.

He took out between £50 - £250 each time to feed his drug habit between February and June 2012.

Sagnibene would then return the card and pin number to its hiding place before the carer returned home.

The 97-year-old resident, who is registered disabled - with limited hearing and restricted mobility due to osteoporosis - had been saving up to replace his old mobility scooter.

The victim was a German prisoner of war during World War II.

Sagnibene told police he used crack - a habit that cost him £20-£30 every day - and had debts of more than £5,000.

Det constable Kate Elson, of Sutton CID, who led the investigation, said Sagnibene's actions and behaviour had caused enormous upset and distress to the victim and his carer, especially in terms of breaching their trust.

Sagnibene was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment less the 63 days he had spent on remand.