A drug addict who dishonestly obtained more than £6,000 from an 86-year-old woman with Alzheimer's has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Daniel Smith was paid £6,000-£7,500 by the woman for work at her bungalow in Carlton Colville he had not done, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Smith, 29, of Alma Road, Lowestoft, admitted fraud between June 2015 and January 2016 and was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also given a rehabilitation requirement and 120 hours unpaid work.

Catherine Bradshaw, prosecuting, said in October 2015 social services became concerned about ten payments the victim made to Smith, ranging from a few hundred pounds up to £2,200.

Matthew Sorel-Cameron, for Smith, said he started doing work for the woman before claiming for work he had not done. He said Smith needed money for his drug habit.