Nationwide travelling distraction burglars sentenced

04/12/2007

Today, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court John Delaney (22), from Wrexham was sentenced to 10 years 6 months imprisonment, John Paul Connors (21), from Derby was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.

Patrick Purcell (25), from Kingswinford was sentenced to 6 years 9 months imprisonment and Felix Rooney (27), from Wolverhampton was sentenced to 5 years 4 months imprisonment after they all pleaded guilty on the opening day of their trial for their parts in a large number of distraction burglaries across the country including a number in Stoke-on-Trent.

Paul Spratt, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Staffordshire speaking after sentencing said: "On the opening day of the trial the defendants entered pleas of guilty to their parts in a series of malicious and cruel offences targeting the elderly and vulnerable, where on occasion substantial violence was used. Undoubtedly this was due to the diligent and effective presentation of the evidence by a dedicated police and CPS prosecution team.

"We are extremely pleased that a strong deterrent has been sent by the Judge in respect of these types of offences."