The court in the south-west city of Heidelberg found that the woman, reported to be in her mid-60’s, had been subjected to hours of intimidation on the phone in February from a man claiming to be a police officer.

The fake police officer told her he was taking them for safekeeping ahead of a planned armed break-in at his victim’s home.

His defence lawyer cast doubt on the woman’s identification of the fake officer and said he would lodge an appeal.