A Battersea man who burgled a pensioner at a Clapham care home and posed as a water board employee to con another has admitted two charges of burglary.

Robert Hart, 54, of Belleville Road, committed his first crime on May 1 this year when he befriended an 83-year-old woman so that he could pick pocket her house keys to burgle her home in Clapham.

In his second offence, on May 8, he entered the home of a 90-year-old victim in after telling her he was from the water board and needed to check her water pressure.

When inside he stole items from the house.

Hart appeared before Camberwell Magistrates' Court on May 15 where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

Detective chief inspector Martin Ward, of Lambeth police said: “Ronald Hart posed a significant risk to elderly members of the community.

"Through dedication and commitment, officers Detective Sergeant Furphy and Detective Constable Westerman obtained evidence in support of two charges of burglary.

"A number of other offences of a similar nature are also now under investigation with Hart as the primary suspect.

"This highlights the importance that the Metropolitan Police and Lambeth officers place on protecting the community and particularly the vulnerable and elderly.”

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