Conman Darrel Gowler is behind bars after blagging £40 out of an 89-year-old woman and then stealing £120 when he asked to use her loo.
Gowler knocked on the door of his 89-year-old victim at her Fenland and offered to clean her gutters.
After she initially refused, he managed to persuade her to allow him to do it for £40.
Whilst he was cleaning the gutters, he repeatedly entered the woman’s house to use the toilet and at one point asked for a cup of tea.
The following morning, the victim called police as she realised £120 had been taken from her purse and Gowler was the only person that could have taken it.
Detectives from the Acquisitive Crime Team arrested Gowler, 31, at his home in Baulkins Drove, Spalding on 21 February.
He appeared at Peterborough Crown Court today (Thursday) where he was sentenced to 16 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to theft.
Detective Constable Lily Deacon, from the Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “Gowler used his charm to take advantage of the kindness of an elderly woman, who trusted him to carry out a job.
“To make the decision to target vulnerable people and take advantage of them is despicable.”
Anyone wanting to know how they can protect their homes from distraction theft can visit Cambridgeshire Police dedicated webpage.
