Two men jailed for burglary and defrauding vulnerable and elderly Barrow man

Two men have each been jailed for five years at Preston Crown Court for burglary and defrauding an 83-year-old man in Barrow-in-Furness.

In March 2019 Darren O'Connor cold called at the victim's home and offered to carry out roofing work. O'Connor drove him to the bank to withdraw £2,500 to pay for the works. He attended on two further occasions demanding further payments.

In April 2019 Darren O'Connor and John Hendry carried out a sneak-in burglary at the man's home, after they lured him into the back garden to inspect the work. When he returned inside, he found his wallet had been stolen.

CCTV cameras at various shops in the Barrow and Ulverston area captured both men using the victim's bank card to steal over £1,800.

Before the case came to trial, the victim who was seriously ill at the time of the offences, had died. His pre-recorded video evidence was played at the trial.

Joanna White, SCP said: "Darren O'Connor and John Hendry carried out despicable and cruel offences against an extremely vulnerable man.

"Even though he is not with us today to see them being jailed, his video evidence was crucial in them being brought to justice.

"The CPS are committed to bringing before the courts those that cause the greatest harm to the public especially vulnerable and elderly victims."