A man who stole money from elderly homeowners has avoided jail.

Paul Thomas, of Whittlesea Close, Harrow, was convicted on Friday, May 15 at Brent Magistrates’ Court of six counts of theft and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for twelve months.

He also has to carry out unpaid work and pay £90 compensation.

The court also granted a three-year criminal behaviour order against the 34-year-old with the condition that he is not to knock on any door, residential or otherwise, in order to borrow money under any pretence.

Between October 2014 and March, Thomas had knocked on a number of elderly residents doors in Pinner and Harrow, asking to borrow money with a bogus story to make the residents feel sorry for him.

He then took the money but never paid them back, and was arrested on March 8 and charged with six counts of theft on April 10.

PC Hutchinson said: “This criminal behaviour order will protect the community from his deceitful ways.

“The police are grateful for the support of the victims in this case to support the prosecution and the CBO which will prevent him from preying on the good natured people of Harrow in future.”