A burglar who pretended to lose a spanner in an elderly couple’s garden before stealing £40 has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Frank Smith, 31, knocked on the front door of the home in Esher on Saturday, August 3, last year claiming he had dropped the tool over their fence and wanted to look for it.

Smith, of Meadowsweet House, Hackfield, in Ashford, Kent, was unable to find the spanner and the victim suggested he go back to where he had dropped it and they would try to find it together.

After going back to the house Smith asked the victim’s wife if she could get a pen and paper so he could leave a phone number in case the tool was found.

While she was doing this he stole her purse containing £40 in cash, bank cards and a sentimental photograph of her mother.

Smith’s number plate was noted as he drove away, but when officers ran checks it was found to be cloned.

Smith was known to have used this distraction technique before and was tracked down by officers using a description given.

He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday, February 11, after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary.

Detective Constable Claire Langdon said: "Frank Smith carried out this burglary out of pure greed, picking on people he perceived to be vulnerable who were of the kindness of their hearts trying to help him.

"Smith used the tawdry tale of a lost spanner to trick his victims, showing such heartlessness for the sake of £40.

"Now he is behind bars for four and a half years and I hope this sentence serves as a warning that we are committed to putting criminals before the court.

"If you know anyone who is vulnerable or elderly in your community please talk to them about distraction burglaries and the dangers of inviting unexpected visitors into your home.

"If you have concerns about people acting suspiciously, call us immediately."