THIEF CAGED FOR OAP RAIDS

Bogus workman claimed he was from water board

A bogus workman who robbed an elderly couple then stole from a 94-year-old woman has been jailed for six-anda-half years.

Edward O’Neill (41), had casually walked into the home of the pensioners in Whitburn claiming to be from the water board.

The male victim – who was 88 but has since passed away – had recently suffered a stroke while his 80-year-old wife had dementia.

O’Neill, of no fixed abode, said he was there to “test the water” on October 29, 2019.

But he ended up pushing past the man before leaning over his wife and grabbing her handbag.

Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie told the High Court in Glasgow: “He left with a purse which had been in the bag. It contained £100, a bank card and a set of house keys.”

The next day, O’Neill appeared at the home of another elderly woman, also in Whitburn, to help with another apparent water issue.

O’Neill opened cupboards, went upstairs before suddenly leaving.

The victim – who has mobility problems and needs a stair lift – then found

a wardrobe and drawer had been forced open. Mr Ronnie said the OAP discovered a total of £5045 was gone.

O’Neill was later caught due to a combination of CCTV footage, DNA evidence and one victim describing his“thick Irish accent”.

It emerged O’Neill had been freed early from a previous sentence.

He pled guilty to assault and robbery as well as theft in connection with these latest crimes.

Lady Stacey sentenced him to three years and three months for both charges to run consecutively.