Burglar who preyed on the elderly in Preston, is jailed

A prolific burglar who preyed on elderly residents across Preston, has been jailed.

During April, May and June this year, Alan Eastham entered the homes of his victims through unlocked doors or by distracting them, before stealing items.​

One on occasion, Eastham sneaked into the home of an 88-year-old woman whilst she was in the front room and stole a handbag from the kitchen. Inside the bag were photographs of her late husband and £440 in cash.​

On another occasion, Eastham entered a home through an unlocked back door and stole sentimental wedding rings from the victim’s bedroom whilst she was in her garden. Two of these rings have been unable to be returned to the victim as their whereabouts are still unknown.​

A search of Eastham’s home found items taken in the burglaries.​

Eastham, 51, of Maynard Street, Preston pleaded guilty to four counts of residential burglary and fraud by false representation.​

At Preston Crown Court on Thursday 22nd August, he was jailed for six years.​

Operation Defender is a force-wide campaign that aims to combat residential burglary with support from Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.