Jail for gang who preyed on elderly.

A gang of prolific burglars who targeted the homes of elderly people, while posing as workmen, have been jailed for a total of more than 26 years.

The four men targeted homes across North and West London, stealing more than £40,000 of jewellery in a two-year spree.

All four were jailed after pleading guilty to a catalogue of offences at Harrow Crown Court which heard they posed as plumbers to gain entry to the homes of elderly people, claiming they were investigating a water leak.

John Casey, 43, of Kingfisher Lane, Billingshurst, was sentenced to eight years and six months’ imprisonment; Michael Casey, 47, also of Kingfisher Lane was sentenced to seven years and nine months; Martin Moloney, 42, of North Road, West Drayton five years and four months; and Sean McGoldrick, 50, of Pinewood Road, Iver was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

The court heard the gang were caught by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s “Flying Squad” in a pub in Cricklewood, plotting their next raid.

Detective Superintendent Simon Moring, from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Squad, said: “This investigation focused on a prolific team of burglars who specifically targeted the elderly and vulnerable.

“They posed as legitimate workmen, enabling them to enter the homes of their victims. Some of the property they stole had sentimental value and is irreplaceable.”

Among the items stolen were watches, cash and gold,

The distraction burglars escaped with £23,700 worth of priceless family heirlooms from just one house.

Distraction burglary accounts for less than 5 per cent of break-ins today and has declined in the past decade due mainly to warnings on the television news and social media about the risks of letting people into your home unannounced.

The police today reiterated their advice to homeowners to always ask for identification from callers to ensure they legitimate tradesmen as part of their “if in doubt leave them out” campaign.