A "despicable" burglar posed as a handyman to swipe more than £1,200 from elderly people in their homes.

John Parker, from Canterbury , cold-called three homes and convinced residents he needed to come and check their utilities.

But the 23-year-old was actually distracting them so he could steal cash, wallets and bank cards.

In the first burglary on June 15 in Norman Road, Broadstairs, an elderly woman was told the drains were blocked and Parker persuaded her to pay £600 for him to fix them.

While the victim left him alone to make him a coffee, he made a dash for it claiming he had to fetch some more tools.

Once he was gone, she realised he had stolen a number of purses, cash and a bank card.

Transactions were later reported on the card at a cash machine in Ramsgate.

Parker attended a property in Strand Street, Sandwich, on June 20 and talked his way into the home of another elderly woman by saying he needed to look for a potential leak. After looking around the house, he yet again made his excuses and swiftly left.

But a vigilant neighbour had seen Parker arrive in a white van with a second unknown man and became suspicious when she saw him leaving the property with something hidden down the front of his trousers.

She checked on the victim and they found a handbag which had been by the front door had disappeared.

A few hours later, Parker visited an elderly man in Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, saying he needed to check blockages in a gas pipe.

In the victim’s garden he was joined by a second man before they left, saying they needed to fetch more tools. This time Parker had stolen a purse containing cash and some keys. The burglar had managed to steal more than £1,200 from the three homes.

Police officers used CCTV to trace the movements of the burglar and Parker, of Wife of Bath Hill in Canterbury, was identified as a result.

He was charged with three counts of burglary and one count of fraud - before later pleading guilty to four charges at Canterbury Crown Court today. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Investigating officer DC Mark Huttley said: "To steal from other people is an awful thing to do, but to target elderly, vulnerable people in the way John Parker did, is despicable.

"His burglaries would have required a degree of planning and cunning in order to deceive."

He urged anyone with elderly relatives or neighbours to keep an eye on them, and ensure they are vigilant about opening the door to strangers.

"Never feel pressured into allowing people into your home and check to see they are genuine first," he added.

"Fortunately Parker is unable to continue his criminal ways and I hope any other potential burglars will realise we will always aim to take the appropriate action to identify them and bring them before the courts."

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