A HARROW man who conned thousands of pounds out of vulnerable pensioners has been jailed for more than five years.

James Hanrahan, 35, used different disguises to trick his way into homes across Hertfordshire and the north-east between June 2008 and March this year.

The conman, of Victor Road, Headstone, carried out a total of 23 burglaries, stealing thousands mainly from elderly victims.

He was caught following a burglary in Cleveland, and was transferred to Hertfordshire Constabulary after he was identified on their Operation Manhunt wanted list in connection with a series of burglaries in Watford.

He was found guilty of the burglaries and of a count of dangerous driving at St Albans Crown Court on Friday and sentenced to five years and four months behind bars.

Detective Constable Kelly Adams, from Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: “James Hanrahan conned thousands of pounds from his elderly victims, some of whom were extremely vulnerable.

“He used many different guises to con his victims such as pretending to be from the water board.

“I am pleased our hard work in Operation Manhunt has paid off and that he has been locked away for a considerable period of time.”