Oxford Journal Newspaper

'Vile, despicable' distraction burglar jailed for nine years

Saturday, 21 January 2012 16:24 Ric Sumner

William-Vinson-Pic-copy A prolific distraction burglar who targeted hundreds of vulnerable elderly people has been jailed for nine years.

William Vinson, of Cotswold Terrace, Chipping Norton committed more than 100 distraction burglaries across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire Northants and Wiltshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire and in the West Mercia Police area.

The 59-year-old appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Friday and sentencing him, Judge Anthony King said he recognised the distress Vinson had caused to his victims, many of whom have since died.

At a previous hearing in December, Recorder Andrew McCooey had told Vinson: “You are a vile, despicable person preying on these vulnerable victims. Goodness knows what untold damage you have done to these people.”

The operation to catch Vinson was called Operation Strident and led by CID officers from Thames Valley Police, in partnership with Wiltshire Police and Operation Liberal, a national police unit which co-ordinates the investigation of distraction burglaries. They were also helped by neighbouring forces from across the region.

Detective Ch/Insp Paul Hayles, from Oxfordshire’s Force Crime unit, said: “This type of crime is something that we are particularly focussed on, due to the effect it can have on raising the fear of crime in vulnerable communities. A joint operation was formed with a team of detectives which ensured that every opportunity for evidence regarding offences of this type was explored.”

Detective Inspector Mark Johns, who co-ordinated the investigation, said: “The type of crime carried out by William Vinson is utterly contemptible and among the most upsetting for victims to come to terms with. He targeted the most vulnerable people in society, pretending to be a new friendly neighbour or a workman from one of the utility services in order to gain their trust.

“Once he had done so, he stole cash and valuables, destroying lives and causing distress and misery in order to benefit himself. Some of the victims have since died and others will never live independently again as a result of what he did to them. I am pleased that the sentence reflects the distress caused to his victims and I hope this goes some way to bringing them a sense of justice.”

Det Sgt Craig Burchall, who also worked on the case, said It was notable that there were a large number of foiled burglaries where the victim refused to open the door or phoned a friendly neighbour or close relative when Vinson called.

“Even the threat of a neighbour coming round was sometimes enough to scare this man off," he said. "By their very nature, many distraction burglars are cowards and do not want to be confronted by anyone other than the weak and vulnerable. If you live near someone who you think could be a target for distraction burglars, please give them your number and let them call you if they are in doubt.

A full list of towns and villages in Oxfordshire where Vinson: