More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Home Romney Marsh News Article
A burglar who stole from a kind man who gave him water in New Romney has been jailed for five years.
Richard Todd gained access into the victim's house under the guise of needing a drink and to use the bathroom, before stealing their bank card and using it for fraudulent transactions in May.
Todd, 32, knocked on the door of the victim’s home in St Andrew's Road and asked for a drink, and departed after the unsuspecting victim provided him with a glass of water.
However, he then returned five minutes later and asked to use the bathroom, which the victim allowed him to do.
During one of the two visits, he stole the victim's wallets.
Around two and a half hours later, the victim received a phone call from a woman claiming to be from his bank.
She said that she needed his pin number to confirm a lost wallet that had been found belonged to him.
The victim provided the number but, after discussions with his associates, realised he had been the victim of fraud and found £500 had been withdrawn from his account.
CCTV cameras captured Todd making the withdrawal from a convenience store in Dymchurch before going on to use the same card to top up a mobile phone in the store.
Todd, of Wickham Road in Fleet, Hampshire, admitted fraud by false representation but denied an additional count of burglary.
He was found guilty following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced to five years in prison yesterday.
PC Paul Marsh, the investigating officer for the case, said: "Richard Todd completely abused the generosity shown to him by the victim and caused a huge amount of distress in the process.
"I am pleased we have secured justice and that Todd is no longer able to target other innocent people.
"Burglary is a deeply intrusive offence that we are committed to preventing. We are well into our annual burglary campaign, which runs during the winter months.
"Darker evenings and unoccupied homes due to people attending festivities make it easier for burglars to offend and I would encourage everyone to visit our website for advice that can help prevent such offending."
