Police have issued a warning to criminals ‘who prey on the most vulnerable’ after a man was convicted for stealing bank cards from elderly victims in Oxford

Kevin Nanton pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and six counts of fraud by false representation.

The 55-year-old of Saunders Road, Oxford, who has been released on court bail will be sentenced on July 13.

Following his conviction, a spokesman from Thames Valley Police Oxford said: “We always target those who prey on the most vulnerable people in society.”

On April 1 this year, Nanton stole a purse from a 92-year-old woman, who was shopping in Fat Face in Queen Street in Oxford.

Then on May 6, Nanton stole a purse from a 71-year-old woman, who was dining in Costa Coffee in Banbury Road, Oxford.

On six occasions in April and May, Nanton also used a number of other stolen bank cards to fraudulently withdraw money in Oxford.

PC Jonathan Kelly, of the Barton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Following a thorough investigation headed by PC Lisa Ordidge from Barton Neighbourhood Team, Kevin Nanton was identified as a suspect for these theft and fraud offences.

“He was arrested and charged on Wednesday, and put before the courts on Thursday, when he was convicted of two thefts and six fraud offences.

“Nanton’s offences are made even more abhorrent because he deliberately targeted elderly victims.

“Thames Valley Police will target all criminals, especially those who prey on the most vulnerable people in society.”