Following a trial, Daniel Coker, 37, of no fixed abode was sentenced to six years in jail for burglary at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 19 December.

At around 2pm on Monday 6 September 2021 Coker entered a property in Craigmoor Avenue without permission, claiming he had been sent by a neighbour to do gardening work and stated he would trim a hedge for £500.

The victim advised that they did not have that amount of money, but went to get £200 and placed it on some furniture while phoning a family member.

Coker remained in the property for a few minutes, but then said he would leave his details for the victim to call him about the work before leaving. A while later the victim noticed that the money had gone.

CCTV enquiries enabled officers to find out that Coker had left the area in a car. On Thursday 16 September 2021 the vehicle was stopped by officers and he was arrested. Furthermore, he was then linked to the burglary forensically through his fingerprints.

Police Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police, said: “The impact a burglary has on a victim cannot be underestimated and we are determined to identify anyone responsible for such crimes.

“It is utterly wrong to prey on a victim in the way Coker did and I hope this case demonstrates that we will do all we can to bring offenders before the courts.”