‘Vile’ burglar gets nine years for preying on hundreds of pensioners in Aylesbury Vale
Distraction burglar - William Vinson
A BURGLAR who ‘destroyed the lives’ of scores of pensioners has been jailed for nine years.
William Vinson, 59, was convicted of more than 100 distraction burglaries, many of which took place throughout the Vale – including Aylesbury, Brill, Hardwick and Winslow.
Detective Inspector Mark Johns, who co-ordinated the investigation into Vinson, says his burglary tactics often caused irreparable damage to the victims and their families.
“The type of crime carried out by William Vinson is utterly contemptible and among the most upsetting for victims to come to terms with.
“He targeted the most vulnerable people in society, pretending to be a new friendly neighbour or a workman from one of the utility services in order to gain their trust.
“Once he had done so, he stole cash and valuables, destroying lives and causing distress and misery to benefit himself.
“Some of the victims have since died and others will never live independently again as a result of what he did to them.
“I am pleased that the sentence reflects the distress caused to his victims and I hope this goes some way to bringing them a sense of justice.”
The operation to catch Vinson was named Operation Strident, led by officers from Thames Valley Police, in partnership with Wiltshire Police and Operation Liberal, a national police unit which co-ordinates the investigation of distraction burglaries, as Vinson targeted homes in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire.
Sentencing Vinson at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Anthony King said he recognised the distress caused to his victims, many of whom have since died.
At a previous hearing in December last year, Recorder Andrew McCooey, told Vinson he was a despicable predator.
He said: “You are a vile, despicable person preying on these vulnerable victims.
“Goodness knows what untold damage you have done to these people.”
Det Sgt Craig Burchall, who also worked on the case, says Vinson was a coward.
“It was notable that there were a large number of foiled burglaries where the victim refused to open the door or phoned a friendly neighbour or close relative when Vinson called,” he said.
“Even the threat of a neighbour coming round was sometimes enough to scare this man off. Many distraction burglars are cowards and do not want to be confronted by anyone other than the weak and vulnerable.
“If you live near someone who you think could be a target for distraction burglars, please give them your number and let them call you if they are in doubt. If you are not sure, don’t open the door.”
Nearby areas where properties were targeted by Vinson include Brill, Cuddington, Worminghall, Winslow, Hardwick, Cublington, Haddenham, Marsh Gibbon, Thame and Chinnor.
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Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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Comments
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aylesburied
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:46 PMAren't all burglars vile?
JR
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 06:17 PMNine years, so out in 2 then? Bring back public floggings, maximum pain and humiliation for these scumbags - might just act as a deterrant to others.
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