A conman who claimed to be a window cleaner and then robbed a disabled pensioner has been jailed – after police traced him from saliva left on a tea cup.
David Langford had cold-called at the address of his 69-year-old victim in Shard End, Birmingham, on 20 June this year.
He asked to use the bathroom before getting a ‘mate’ to help him clean the windows, and took a swig of tea which the woman had made for him before leaving.
Langford didn’t return and the victim noticed her purse containing cash and cards was missing from her bag shortly afterwards.
She contacted us and police were able to take DNA from the cup and forensically match it to 48-year-old Langford, who had previous convictions for distraction burglary.
He was arrested at his home in Maryland Avenue, Hodge Hill, and admitted in his police interview to stealing the purse as he owed money.
Langford went on to plead guilty to burglary and was jailed for three years and two months at Birmingham Crown Court last Friday (2 September).
For advice on how to avoid being a victim of distraction burglary read the link below. Always be on your guard when receiving a visit from someone you don’t know and are not expecting.