Man posed as gardener to steal from pensioner

A man who posed as a gardener to steal from a 95-year-old woman with dementia has been jailed.

Edward Biddle, 51, let himself into the victim’s home in Histon, near Cambridge, on the morning of 18 February.

Biddle claimed he was a gardener and said the victim owed him £120 for previous work.

Biddle took £60 in cash, despite not having done any work.

He also asked the victim for her bank card and PIN number so she could pay the rest of the money, but she didn’t know the PIN.

CCTV cameras captured the exchange and the victim’s family reported Biddle to the police.

On 20 March, Biddle let himself into the victim’s home again, but this time was confronted by family members who spotted him on CCTV cameras and alerted a carer who phoned the police.

Biddle swiftly left but was later arrested after police identified him from the CCTV footage.

At Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday (2 July), Biddle, of Muswell Road, Bedford, was jailed for five years after admitting one count of burglary and theft, and one count of burglary with intent to steal.

DC Zoe Bramley, who investigated, said: “Biddle not only let himself into an elderly woman’s home, but also exploited her trust and vulnerability by taking her money for work he hadn’t done.

“The fact he came back a second time just shows how cold and callous he is. I’m pleased he’s now behind bars for his cowardly crimes.

“We’re doing all we can to put people who target the vulnerable behind bars, however, I would urge members of the public to check in with elderly relatives or neighbours to make them aware of rogue traders, and to report any concerns to us.”

Anyone with information or concerns about rogue trading should contact us online or use our web chat service. Those without internet access should call 101.

For more on rogue traders, how to spot them and how to report, visit our website.