A MAN caught on camera stealing from an elderly woman in Chesterfield has been jailed for four years.

Thomas Sykes, 24, of Thingley caravan site, Easton Lane, Chippenham, pleaded guilty to burglary when he appeared at Derby Crown Court.

Sykes was arrested after officers investigating the crime released CCTV taken within the home of the 73-year-old woman, who fell victim to his trick to gain access to her bungalow.

The CCTV showed a man, who claimed to be from the local council, enter the home and steal her handbag.

The hearing on July 8 heard that the burglary happened between 11.40-11.55am on February 15 at a bungalow on Boythorpe Road. Sykes went into the woman’s home on the pretext of talking to her about plans for the garden and after speaking to her for about 10 minutes snatched her bag from beside her chair.

Her purse was found at 12.30pm, the same day, at the roadside on West Street near the junction with Foljambe Road.

As a direct result of nationwide publicity, police officers arrested and charged Sykes’ twin brother, who lives in Calne. Charges against him were discontinued after Thomas Sykes was arrested and charged with the offence, which he later admitted in court.

DC Damian Lowe said: “Thomas Sykes was arrested on May 6 and appeared before magistrates the next day. The CCTV images proved invaluable in providing overwhelming evidence against Sykes.

“The response we had from the public was phenomenal and I’d like to thank everyone who contacted us with information.”

The four-year sentence was imposed because this was Sykes’ third similar conviction.