A man has been jailed for five years for distraction burglaries where he preyed on elderly and vulnerable residents in Saffron Walden and Harlow.

Shaun Holland, 28, of Sackville Close, Cambridge was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on July 18. He had previous convictions for burglary and robbery.

HH Judge Halworth, in passing sentence, said that there was nothing more abhorrent than this type of burglary where you have elderly and vulnerable victims.

Holland travelled into Essex and tricked his way into residents’ premises under false pretences, stating that his ball was in the back garden, or that he was a police officer or worked for one of the utility companies. He would then find the victim’s handbag and leave taking cash and bank cards.

Holland was identified by police officers from CCTV and arrested in June this year.

He was charged with a burglary at Westfield, Harlow on February 17 and burglary at Hare Street Springs, Harlow on June 6. He then admitted four other offences in Essex, including burglaries in Hare Street Springs in April, Broadfields and The Hides, Harlow in May and Station Road, Wendens Ambo on June 2.

Investigating officer Dc Gav Morris, from Harlow CID, said: “Shaun Holland preyed on the elderly, vulnerable and those with disabilities. He often returned to the same address to steal from them again and had no thought for the devastation he left in his wake.

“Police would also like to remind the public that they should not allow people into their property without good reason and should always request identification from people such as utility company staff; police officers always carry a warrant card.”