A ‘DESPICABLE’ burglar who preyed on elderly and disabled residents has been jailed for eight years.

Dean Bennett tricked his way into the homes of vulnerable people, including 14 homes in Dorset, and helped himself to £7,290 in cash.

Bennett, 28, of no fixed abode, carried out a cross-country seven-month crime spree in which he burgled 69 homes.

A Dorset Police detective branded Bennett’s crimes ‘despicable’. Detective Inspector Marcus Hester said: “This result is particularly rewarding for all the elderly and vulnerable victims that this despicable burglar has targeted.

“These heartless offenders bring misery to our elderly and most vulnerable residents by stealing from them in their own homes – where they should feel safest.”

A Dorset Police-led operation involving nine forces led to Bennett’s arrest on March 21.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court how Bennett deceived residents to trick his way into their homes.

He pocketed £1,900 and bank cards belonging to a 90-year-old Middlesbrough woman with a Zimmer frame by pretending to be selling raffle tickets at the door and pushed past her into her home.

In February, Bennett told an 84-year-old Bournemouth woman that he was a workman and took £40 from her after she made him a cup of tea, Mr Jones said.

The serial burglar duped a 91-year-old Poole man the same month by pretending to be a neighbour who was moving to Bristol and had come to say his goodbyes. He asked the man if he could change a £20 note and took £120 from him.

Bennett was found guilty of 20 counts of burglary with a further 49 taken into consideration.

The court heard he had four previous convictions for burglary and had been sentenced to five years in prison in April 2006.

He committed the 69 distraction burglaries after he was released on parole in July 2008.

Sentencing Bennett, Judge Robin Belben said: “The heartbreak you caused your victims cannot be overstated.

“I’ve read the victim statements and they will stick in my mind for a long time. All the victims were in their 80s or 90s or were particularly vulnerable.

“I cannot forget the traumatic effect you had.”