SUFFOLK: A conman who tricked his way into elderly people’s homes across Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk is today starting a three-year jail sentence.

Paul Anthony Kane, of no fixed abode, carried out 26 ‘distraction burglaries’ across the three counties.

The 50-year-old struck in Poplar Hill, Stowmarket, and Mallard Way, Ipswich, on July 1, before going on to trick his way into a home in Lamb Court, Barton Mills, on July 5.

Kane also targeted 12 homes in Essex. In addition he preyed on OAPs in Norwich, Wymondham and Dereham, between June 25 and July 6.

To gain entry to the houses, Kane would pretend to check or sell smoke alarms.

Each victim was distracted when they were asked to hold one end of a tape measure, while Kane reeled it out into other rooms where he then stole cash and personal items within the households.

Kane was caught after a cross-border investigation was set up involving officers from Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies.

It was led by Norfolk Constabulary’s Operation RADAR team – detectives specialising in bogus callers and rogue traders.

Kane was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to four offences.

Another eight incidents were also taken into consideration at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court following that hearing.

After an intensive investigation, a further two Norfolk offences were admitted by Kane and taken into consideration at court yesterday.

Officers from Essex ran a separate investigation where 12 burglary offences by Kane were discovered.

He was sentenced to three years for the Norfolk and Suffolk offences and a further two years for the Essex offences, which will run concurrently.

After the sentencing Operation RADAR Detective Constable Steve Matthews said: “This is a man who conned his way into the victims homes and preyed on vulnerable members of the community in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

“The sentence Kane has received reflects the seriousness of his crime and I hope that this will in a small way compensate the victims.”

n Have you been a victim of a conman and want to tell us your story? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.