A DISTRACTION burglar who targeted an 86-year-old Ellesmere Port resident has been put behind bars.

Larry Rooney, 39, of Hampton Vale, Peterborough, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, September 14, where he was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of burglary.

The charges relate to a spate of opportunistic distraction burglaries across Peterborough, Ellesmere Port and Broughton in Flintshire.

The court heard how on Saturday, July 16, Rooney knocked on an address on Stanney Lane, purporting that he had come to check the water supply.

The owner of the property, an 86-year-old woman, showed Rooney to the water stop taps before he began searching through her wardrobe and drawers.

When the victim became aware that something was wrong, she told Rooney to leave her house.

He pushed past the woman as he left the address, causing her to fall and sustain minor injuries.

Rooney also targeted a 76-year-old woman's home in Broughton the same day. He had previously targeted a 98-year-old woman's home in Warwick Road, Peterborough, on June 24.

Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting, told the court that Rooney was on holiday in Rhyl at the time of his arrest and that the burglaries on July 16 had occurred while he was staying there.

It was also said that Rooney had an 'extensive list' of previous convictions relevant to this sentencing, including previous counts of dwelling burglaries which Judge Hale said were 'aggrevating features' when it came to sentencing Rooney.

A statement read out in court said that one of Rooney's victims, had 'difficulty sleeping' since the incident and that he 'no longer felt safe at home'.

A second statement from another victim added that the incident had 'left her feeling vulnerable'. She added that she was 'grateful' that Rooney had not been armed as he entered her property.

Henry Hills, defending, said Rooney had committed these offences 'in desperation'.

He added that the defendant's life had been like 'revolving door syndrome' as he had spent a lot of his life in and out of prison.

Judge David Hale sentenced Rooney to seven-and-a-half years for each count, which will run concurrently. He will only be eligible for parole after he has served two-thirds of that sentence.

Rooney was arrested by officers from North Wales Police on July 19 and was subsequently charged with three counts of burglary with intent to steal.

Detective Constable Stuart Wood of Cheshire Police said: “During this investigation, we worked closely with North Wales Police and Cambridgeshire Police to help identify the offenders.

“These incidents were absolutely terrifying ordeals for the victims, to be confronted by an intruder in their own home, the one place we should all be able to feel safe.

“Thankfully, as a result of partnership work, this crime spree was ended quickly, and he is now facing the consequences of his actions.

“I hope that the sentences handed down by the courts provides some reassurance to our communities, demonstrating that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality.

“I also hope that it acts as a warning that we will not stop in pursuing those bringing misery to our local communities.”

Leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Mark Hughes of North Wales Police said: “I am delighted with this sentence, which not only sends a very clear message to anyone considering such a crime, but also underlines our commitment to pursue those who commit burglary and bring misery to our communities.

“We will continue to strive to make north Wales the safest place in the UK.”