Thief who preyed on vulnerable elderly

Long-time drug addict and distraction burglar Ajmal Sattar, 36, told his victims he needed paper to leave messages for their next door neighbours, but stole from them when their backs were turned.

But he was identified after CCTV stills of him were published in the Telegraph.

Sattar was sent to prison for five years after admitting two burglaries. He must also serve 450 days from a previous jail term.

Sentencing the defendant, of Cranwell Close, Blackburn, Judge Beverley Lunt told him: "You leave fear and distress in your wake.

"You leave the victims with an experience it's unlikely they will recover from. They will never feel safe in their homes again."

David Macro, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court that Sattar called at the East Park Road, Blackburn, home of a 79-year-old couple, last October, saying he had gone next door, couldn't get a reply and wanted to leave a message.

The victims let him in and when the defendant had left, they found the woman's purse had gone from her handbag.

Police were called and found a neighbour had installed CCTV cameras. Stills were published in the Telegraph and Sattar's name was given to police.

The defendant was arrested, denied he had been in the couple's home and was bailed.

Mr Macro said Sattar claimed his next victim, an 83-year-old woman, in Nelson, telling her he needed to tell his relatives living next door to her that an auntie had died.

She gave him a cup of coffee and when he asked her for change for £5 she went upstairs to get some money.

Sattar watched her get her cash from her handbag in a wardrobe.

The woman then decided to go next door to check the story and afterwards found £130 had been taken.

Sattar had 10 previous convictions for burglary.

Richard English, defending, said the offences were particularly unpleasant and wicked.

The barrister said: "While it may seem hollow to his victims, he is sorry for what he did."