Crossword Genius

Pay for accommodation for old thief (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

footpad

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old thief' is the definition.
'footpad' can be an answer for 'thief' (thesaurus). I'm not sure about the 'old' bit.

'pay for accommodation' is the wordplay.
'pay for' becomes 'foot' (as in to foot the bill).
'accommodation' becomes 'pad' (pad can mean someone's home).
'foot'+'pad'='FOOTPAD'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for footpad that I've seen before include "thief?" , "Horseless highwayman" , "Highwayman without a horse" , "Mugger of old" , "Old-style robber" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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