A man and a teenager have been charged with burgling vulnerable residents in Swindon.
38-year-old Jerry Connors and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court in custody this morning (Saturday).
The pair are jointly charged with two broad-daylight burglaries following incidents in Queensfield in Kingsdown and Whitecastle in Toothill on Thursday (5 October).
Prosecutor Ben May alleged the pair enticed elderly residents out of their homes by starting to pressure wash their driveways without permissions.
It’s claimed the residents were then distracted by one of the defendants, whilst the other entered the property and steals items such as cash.
Mr May described the complainants as “vulnerable individuals… people in their 80s with health problems”.
He told the court that both defendants – who deny the charges – had travelled from Ireland to the UK, but provided Littleton Traveller Site near Semington, Trowbridge, as their current address.
Despite objections from the prosecution, the magistrates granted conditional bail.
Connors will be curfew to Littleton Traveller Site between 7pm-7am daily. The 17-year-old will be curfew to Littleton Traveller Site between 9pm and 6am daily. They are prohibited from entering Swindon.
The case was sent to Swindon Crown Court for trial. The duo will next due to appear on 10 November.
