Jailed: Burglar released early on licence conned pensioners out of thousands

Mark Woodliffe is back behind bars after a police investigation linked him to more than 30 burglaries - including ones in Wolverhampton and Walsall.

The 48-year-old, who pretended he had been sent by local authorities to improve home security by installing safes, window locks and alarms, struck at addresses spanning 11 different police force areas, from Yorkshire to the West Midlands, and made off with thousands of pounds from at least 34 burglaries.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday Woodliffe, from Aurega Court in Derby, was jailed for a total of seven-and-a-half years.

Woodliffe admitted conning elderly residents in Temple Street, Wolverhampton; Butts Road, Persehouse Street and Lichfield Road in Walsall; and Broad Meadow Lane in Kings Norton between December 30 2014 and April 1 this year.

In total he admitted six counts of burglary, one of theft and asked for 25 other offences to be taken into consideration.

His oldest victim was a 97-year-old man, who he targeted on March 20, but after gaining access to his Loughborough home by offering to fit window locks he fled on hearing the man's granddaughter using the flat's intercom.

Other raids included one on May 29 in Stechford when the bogus safe-fitter tricked a 78-year-old man into handing over his bank card and PIN number after telling him he was due a £125 'inconvenience payment' from his council.

Minutes later Woodliffe ? who was released on prison licence last year midway through a five-year term for similar 'distraction burglaries' ? withdrew £250 from a cash machine a short walk from victim's home.

However, police caught up with Woodliffe four days later when his blue BMW ? a car linked to several offences through CCTV and witness accounts ? triggered a patrol car's Automatic Number Plate Recognition system in Kingsbury Road, Castle Vale.

Officers also found a hat in the car matching the one worn by Woodliffe when helping himself to the 78-year-old's savings at the ATM.

He went on to admit the Stechford offences plus five more burglaries in Mansfield ? when he stole £265 from a 92-year-old man ? Wakefield, Burton-on-Trent, Northampton and Loughborough between February and April this year.

'Preying on the elderly'

Sentencing Woodliffe at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Stephen Eyre QC told the 48-year-old: "At the time of these offences you were on licence, having been given your licence from a sentence of imprisonment.

"You have not learned your lesson. You are a persistent and determined burglar preying on elderly victims and doing so despite repeated prison sentences.

"This was a campaign of mean burglaries on the elderly committed by you when you had a record of doing precisely the same kind of thing."

Detective Constable Andy Wareham, of West Midlands Police, said after the case: "Distraction burglars can adopt many guises: a police officer, rat catcher, council employee or workman to name but a few.

"Woodliffe claimed he was there to deter crime. His victims thought he was there to help but instead he was preying on their trust.

"All of his victims were vulnerable by their age; these types of offences can have real long-term effects on their confidence and a damaging psychological impact. Many struggle to come to terms with how they were conned ? and I'm sure many offences go unreported due to some victims feeling embarrassed at being duped.

"There is no shame, though, as these tricksters can be very convincing. It's vital people to report offences or suspicious behaviour to us so that we can piece together a picture of offending patterns, potentially link offences and gather evidence.

"I'd urge anyone who has an elderly relative, neighbour or friend to pop round, check up on them, and ensure they are wary of the tactics employed by distraction burglars.

"Everyone can play their part ? let's spread the message and hopefully stop more people becoming victims.

"Our message is never to let anyone into your home who turns up unannounced. If anyone says they're on official business ask to see identification, check it carefully and phone the organisation they claim to be from. Get a number from the phone book or online ? don't use any number they provide you on a card.

"If in doubt… keep them out is the mantra all residents should adopt," he added.