'Coward' burglar preyed on elderly; CRIME: Dad who conned his way into OAPs' homes is jailed for five years.

Byline: Mark Cowan

POLICE today branded a dad-offour a "coward who preyed on the elderly" after he was jailed for a Midland-wide string of burglaries Kevin Joseph McGuire, 26, of Bolton, was jailed for five years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle 35 homes across the Midlands between March and October last year.

One of those homes belonged to Kenneth Myatt.

The 85-year-old fell ill and was admitted to hospital a day after a bogus official-type break-in at his Allen's Farm Road, Northfield, home on September 9 last year.

It is thought two men tricked their way in taking just pounds 10 in loose change.

Mr Myatt died in hospital three weeks later from complications arising from a kidney injury.

The court was told McGuire did not enter that house and Mr Myatt's death could not be linked to the burglary.

Det Insp Richard Mayhew, from Bournville Lane CID, who led the investigation into the burglary at Mr Myatt's home, said: "He was a clever con artist who carried out his crimes without any empathy for the distress of the victims.

Jailed: McGuire.

"He had no conscience. He was someone who presented himself as a family man, a caring individual, but clearly he had no concerns for the victims of his attacks.

"The attacks were cowardly. He preyed on the elderly and no doubt left a great deal of them devastated."

He added: "Since he was caught, things have been significantly quieter. The large number of distraction burglaries that we saw prior to him being arrested has diminished."

Kevin Officers from Staffordshire Police's Operation Hawk team, who deal with distraction burglaries, led the investigation with the support of officers from West Midlands Police and Cheshire.

A witness reported seeing a green Renault Laguna in Birmingham. A similar car was noticed close to the homes of other Midlands victims. The car was found in Stoke-on-Trent and linked to McGuire, who was arrested by Greater Manchester Police.

The average age of the victims was in their 80s. The burglary spree netted pounds 39,000 in stolen property and detectives may seize McGuire's assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Mark Wyatt, defending, said McGuire was remorseful. "He is disgusted by his involvement in this offending," he said.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told McGuire burglaries cause outrage and immensely distress victims and sentenced him to five years in prison. Time on remand, 240 days, will be deducted from the term.

CAPTION(S):

Jailed: Kevin McGuire.