A PAIR of criminals have been jailed after admitting to a number of “disgusting” crimes targeting elderly people across the Farnham and Hampshire area - including dragging a man off his mobility scooter and stealing his bag.

Danny Keet, 37, of Cobbetts Close in Normandy, and Wayne Melton, 34, of Lambourne Way in Tongham, were sentenced to a combined 13 years behind bars at Guildford Crown Court for the spate of thefts in July and August 2016.

The duo used distraction techniques on vulnerable people to gain entry and steal goods from homes in Rowledge and Dockenfield, as well as robbing an elderly man in Selborne. Two of their victims have since passed away, meaning they never got to see Keet and Melton brought to justice for their crimes.

In one of the burglaries, in Rowledge on July 31, 2016, the pair banged on a victim’s window asking to look for their cat in her garden. They later returned to the property on August 17, 2016, and asked for water saying that their car had broken down.

Thanks to the diligence of the occupant both attempts failed.

They also entered the home of a Dockenfield woman on August 20 while she slept but the pair were confronted by her live-in carer ensuring nothing was stolen.

That same day, another distressing incident occurred in Selborne when an elderly man on a mobility scooter was approached, dragged to the ground and his bag stolen.  

Keet pled guilty to two counts of attempted burglary and was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Melton pled guilty to two counts of attempted burglary, one of burglary and one count of robbery and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

Upon sentencing, His Honour Judge Jones, referring to the Selborne robbery told Melton: “This was a mean offence on an elderly man in the later stages of his life, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Detective Constable Jo Smith, who investigated the crimes, said: “The crimes committed by these two men are absolutely disgusting. They deliberately targeted homes in remote areas with vulnerable occupants, they would then attempt to con their way into their homes.

“Sadly two of the victims have passed away so will not witness the sentence that these men thoroughly deserve.

“I hope the sentences send a clear message to any other individuals considering committing the same crimes. We do not tolerate this behaviour in Surrey and we will seek to prosecute you." 

For advice and information on keeping your home secure, visit the website surrey.police.uk/advice.