Caught short lie burglar snared by DNA evidence after conning pensioner

Malcolm Page, 42, tricked his way into the elderly man's home in Little Norton Lane in the Meadowhead area of Sheffield by pretending he needed to use the toilet during the incident.

While inside the man’s house he also asked for a glass of water, which meant he was left alone in the elderly victim’s living room.

Shortly afterwards, Page left the property and the victim discovered his bank cards and a wallet had been taken.

Forensic specialists were able to recover a fingerprint from the glass, which was later DNA matched to Page following the burglary on November 1 2015.

A Sheffield Crown Court judge jailed Page, formerly of Perry Road, Nottingham, for three-years-and-four-months after he pleaded guilty to burglary.

Police Constable Steve Walch of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Page preyed on this elderly man’s vulnerability, exploiting his kind nature to get inside his home. Once inside, Page stole whatever he could for financial gain before leaving.

“Targeting elderly or vulnerable people in burglaries is absolutely despicable and I am pleased he pleaded guilty to this offence.

“Even though this crime happened over a year ago, we were still able to bring this man before the courts and put him behind bars.

“I hope this reassures other victims of burglary that we have dedicated officers who work very hard to catch these criminals, and we will not stop doing so.”