A “DESPICABLE” distraction burglar tricked his way into more than 100 homes in a “deliberate campaign that continued week after week”.

William Vinson posed as a new neighbour, a council worker or an inspector from the electricity board as he targeted victims aged between 79 and 94.

The 59-year-old from Chipping Norton left a trail of “damage and destruction” across nine counties in two years.

In Great Haseley, south Oxfordshire, victim Joyce Allen never recovered from the effects of Vinson’s deception.

The 78-year-old, known locally as ‘The Queen’ and described by her daughter as sociable and friendly, died four months after she lost about £300.

In a statement, her daughter Patricia Medlicott said: “(She) felt extremely stupid for what had happened, it’s as though her pride took a massive knock.

“In the five minutes it took this man to burgle her, it changed her whole life.”

Mrs Medlicott said her mother’s health deteriorated sharply after the incident in August, adding: “She had said she could see the burglar wherever she was. I truly believe the medical problems were all a result of the burglary.”

At Oxford Crown Court yesterday, Vinson, pictured, was jailed for nine years after previously admitting 11 burglaries and asking for 90 other burglaries to be taken into consideration. The total cash value of the crimes was assessed at about £15,000.

Prosecutor Jonathan Stone said Vinson, from Cotswold Terrace, Chipping Norton, had “three modus operandi”.

He said: “This case concerns what are known as distraction burglaries. This is where a burglar adopts a particular persona in order to trick his way into a house and distract often elderly residents while they steal items of value.

“This defendant adopted three particular MOs. He would either say ‘I’m your new neighbour’ or ‘I’m from social services and welfare’ using a bogus ID card, or say ‘I’m from the electricity board’.”

Mr Stone said Vinson, who has 35 previous offences to his name, used the pseudonym Dave Knight and would often pose as a new neighbour who needed change for large bank notes to pay a plumber.

When his victims went to fetch their money, he would note the location of their purse or handbag and ask for a bucket of water, then steal the money.

Vinson’s other victims included elderly people in Southmoor, Checkendon and Stoke Row, as well dozens of others in neighbouring counties.

Robert English, defending, said: “I’m not going to pretend there could be anything attractive about any of the features of the various cases that are before the court.”

He said his client was “absolutely ashamed” and “deeply regretted” his actions.

Judge Anthony King jailed Vinson for nine years and said: “This is a deliberate and calculated campaign targeted at elderly persons aged between 79 and 94 committed over at least nine counties, and committed knowing that you are going to be entering the homes of strangers; all elderly, some infirm, many living on their own.”

“Having breached that trust you then stole from each of them. These offences can only be described as despicable and it’s not just the occasional offence but a deliberate campaign continued week after week.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk