A career criminal who targeted pensioners was jailed after police caught him while on holiday with his family.
Larry Rooney, 39, from Peterborough, was caught during his holiday by the beach in Rhyl earlier this year. Rooney, a dad-of-five, was wanted by police after several "distraction burglary" incidents which saw him target the homes of pensioners across three different counties in the UK, including the home of an 86-year-old living in Ellesmere Port.
Rooney appeared before Mold Crown Court in North Wales after being charged with three distraction burglaries. The court heard how Rooney's crime spree impacted his elderly victims, leaving them "scared to answer the door," reports North Wales Live.
READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's sister gives funeral reading over 'life and death'
Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting, explained how Rooney's crime spree came to end when the police arrested him during his seaside holiday in Rhyl earlier this year. It was said that the dad-of-five carried out what is known as a distraction burglary of a 98-year-old in his local area of Cambridgeshire. His criminal ways continued when he targeted another pensioner - an 86-year-old - in Ellesmere Port.
But confident Rooney's scams didn't stop at the border and he went on to fleece a 76-year-old in Broughton, Flintshire. All of Rooney's elderly victim's spoke about the lasting impact his brief crime spree has had on them.
The court heard how one said in a victim impact statement that she is "scared answer the front door". Another said she reads about things like this happening but "never expected it to happen to her".
A third victim said that they "held onto their front door keys", even when providing a police statement as they became a "more guarded person" since the break-in. They said: "What is the world coming to," when reflecting on how things like this can happen to "ordinary people".
Henry Hills, defending, told the court how his client committed these crimes "out of desperation" to pay off debts that were allegedly linked to a County Lines trade. Mr Hills added that he does now acknowledge the fact that committing crime hasn't helped. The barrister continues by saying that "there can only be one outcome" from the hearing, for which Rooney is prepared.
Judge David Hale jailed Rooney for a total of seven-and-a-half years of which he'll serve at least two thirds of his sentence before his release can be considered, the court heard. He said: "You've spent most of your adult life in custody and, when you are out, you commit serious offences. On a number of occasions they have involved distraction burglaries of people living alone, trying too make the best of their way at a considerable age.
"It takes a lot of confidence when you're in your eighties or older to live on your own. It can be so easy to knock that confidence by sneaking in to their homes under some rouse and stealing. You've done it not once, not twice, but a number of times - and I've got to sentence you for three more."
The judge also referred to a teenage boy - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - that Rooney took with him on two 'jobs' in order to "teach him the ropes". Judge Hale branded this a "grossly aggravating feature".
Distraction burglars will pretend to be someone they are not, so it’s important you are aware of the common methods they will use to get you to let them into your property. North Wales Police has listed some useful advice on their website on how to prevent a distraction burglary:
Common methods used by distraction burglars:
- Pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak
- Seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water if they claim to be thirsty or unwell
- Claiming to be in a hurry or emergency and needing to get into your home quickly
- Working in teams, with one person distracting you while the other searches your home
How to prevent it:
There are a number of things you can do to prevent distraction burglary. Always remember "if in doubt, keep them out":
- Use your door viewer to see who’s there
- If you open the door put the chain on first
- Always ask for ID and check it with the company before letting somebody into your home
- Use the phone number advertised in the phone book or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department. Close the door while you do this
- Remember that genuine callers won’t mind checks. If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there
- For pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up
READ NEXT:
Mum saw scene where daughter was killed before she knew teen had died
England player turned drug boss lived high life with dealer 'Led Zeppelin'
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's funeral service as murdered nine-year-old laid to rest
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum vows to 'never say goodbye' to daughter in eulogy
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum holds pink teddy as mourners line street for funeral
