A CONMAN who preyed on East Lancashire pensioners in their own homes in a three-month post-Christmas crime spree has been jailed for five years.

Drug addict and ex-convict Lee Howarth, 35, duped his way into 11 houses to steal cash and belongings and in one case helped himself to £1,000 which a 79-year-old man had been saving to pay his council tax.

Howarth, who struck in Nelson, Barrowford, Sabden, Clitheroe and Accrington, between January and March, was once a legitimate builder but turned trickster in a bid to feed his habit.

He was arrested and bailed by police after dropping fliers with his details on but then continued his cruel trail of deception, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Byrne told the defendant the complainants would have been vulnerable and more susceptible to deception. They would have felt violated, insecure and frightened as they came face to face with him, he said.

Howarth, of Cravendale Avenue, Nelson, admitted three burglaries and asked for eight burglaries, one theft and one deception to be considered. He had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, told the court in January, the 79-year-old, who lived in Dixon Street, Barrowford, was at home when Howarth called asking if he needed any maintenance work doing. The defendant had put fliers through doors advertising for work.

The victim asked Howarth to repair some roof tiles but the defendant asked to use the toilet and noticed the pensioner take two £20 notes from a money box in his bedroom. The victim handed over the £40 to Howarth for the work but later noticed the box containing £1,000 was missing.

Howarth was arrested a month later, was bailed and made a complete denial of involvement.

Weeks afterwards he picked on a 89-year-old woman living in Wesley Street, Sabden.

The defendant called on the victim asking if she wanted any work doing but she said she did not.

She then went to check her Welsh dresser and found three purses had been taken. Cash to the tune of £140, a bus pass, cheque card and key were missing.

Mr Bennett said days later Howarth called at the Railway Street, Nelson home of an 82-year-old man, saying his car had broken down and asking to use the phone.Howarth then rifled his jacket.