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A doorstep conman is behind bars after preying on a pensioner and trying to persuade her to hand over cash.
David Sewell entered a 91-year-old’s home in the Horsley Hill area of South Shields in July last year.
The 42-year-old falsely claimed he was collecting money for a relative who had been cleaning her windows – but received a shock when the woman’s son dropped in and caught him inside the house.
With the son knowing his story was fabricated, Sewell, of Beach Road, South Shields, fled the scene empty-handed.
However, police officers quickly identified Sewell as their prime suspect and placed him under arrest.
In interview, he insisted his innocence and continued to claim he was collecting money for his relative’s window cleaning business.
But last Wednesday (February 17), on the day of his scheduled trial, Sewell pleaded guilty to burglary with the intent to steal at Newcastle Crown Court.
He was subsequently jailed for 11 months.
PC Shaun Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a case of an opportunistic crook trying to take advantage of a vulnerable woman and take her money.
“It is absolutely despicable, and had her son not returned home when he did, Sewell may well have left with cash that he had absolutely no right to."
“I am pleased he is now serving a jail term and would ask members of the public to be aware of this type of criminality."
And he urged people to have a word with relatives regarding the risks posed by doorstep callers.
“Please talk to your loved ones, particularly those who are elderly or who may live alone,” he said
“If someone turns up at your door unannounced or is acting suspiciously, do not hand over any money and report it to police.”
“Everyone needs to adjust to these changes” is an Essex logistics company chief’s call to other British operations.
“We gave our clients informed and honest opinions of where we thought the main issues would arise so they could plan accordingly,” explained Chairman Kevin Stevens, whose firm transports up to 8,000 monthly shipments to and from Europe.
“We grew a dedicated team, hosted strategy meetings as well as internal training sessions to get staff across the business up to speed on the latest regulatory changes, building transition training and information resources for our clients.”
“With change comes opportunity. Our forward planning has allowed us to push forward significantly and open up new opportunities for clients trading with the EU,” continued the boss of the global logistic, freight forwarding and supply chain specialists.
“Everyone needs to adjust to these changes and, understanding they are here to stay, put relevant processes in place.”