A conman who posed as a charity collector to exploit the elderly has been jailed for seven years today (Wednesday).

Daniel Bolton, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court after pleading guilty to carrying out 15 burglaries and 26 fraud offences, with the majority taking place at addresses in Letchworth GC and Baldock between July and August.

The court heard how the 25-year-old had taken ‘charity’ money from elderly residents at the doorstep, and in other circumstances negotiated his way into their home to steal their belongings. If a property was found to be empty he would break in.

Bolton was caught out after investigators from Operation Manhunt – Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist unit set up to investigate distraction burglary and other crimes against the elderly – received a call from a resident in a retirement complex in Letchworth GC.

She told officers that a suspicious man had knocked on her door stating he was collecting for the charity and wanted to get into her property.

It was discovered Bolton had knocked on various doors within the complex, and when he returned on August 13 he was arrested in a victim’s kitchen.

Detective inspector Kay Lancaster, who leads the Operation Manhunt team, said: “The evidence was so strong against Bolton that he had no option than to admit his offending.

“Using the guise of collecting for charity is disgusting. Bolton openly admitted to police during the course of the investigation that he purposely targeting older people. Some of his victims were so vulnerable and suffered with dementia.

“I am delighted with the result today. My team, worked extremely hard on this case, both investigating the crime and supporting the victims in the aftermath.”