JANET Lestrade is a coward who deserves to go to prison.

For years she has preyed on vulnerable elderly people, making a career as a con woman.

The fact that she deliberately targets victims who she knows will be more trusting and less able to put up a fight makes her offences all the more despicable.

No doubt the judge will take into account the effect her latest crime has had on Terentius Andersohn, who describes how her routine was so well honed that he felt like he was talking to an old friend.

Yes, Lestrade has a drug addiction and that is the reason behind her offending.

But the fact is she has been given numerous opportunities to change her ways.

Now the court must send out a message, not just to Lestrade, but to others who think it is acceptable to prey on vulnerable members of our society.