A PAIR of criminals have been jailed after admitting to a number of “disgusting” crimes targeting elderly people – including dragging a man off his mobility scooter in Selborne in order to steal his bag.

Danny Keet, 37, of Cobbetts Close, Normandy, and Wayne Melton, 34, of Lambourne Way, Tongham, were sentenced to a combined 13 years behind bars at Guildford Crown Court for the spate of thefts in July and August 2016.

The duo used distraction techniques on vulnerable people to gain entry and steal goods from homes in Rowledge and Dockenfield, as well as robbing an elderly man in Selborne.

Two of their victims have since died, so they never saw Keet and Melton brought to justice for their crimes.

In one incident, in Rowledge on July 31, 2016, the pair banged on a victim’s window asking to look for their cat in her garden. They returned to the property on August 17 and asked for water saying that their car had broken down. But thanks to the diligence of the occupant, both attempts to gain entry failed.

They did break into the home of a Dockenfield woman on August 20 while she slept but were confronted by her live-in carer and nothing was stolen.

The same day, an elderly man on a mobility scooter in Selborne was approached, dragged to the floor and had his bag stolen by the two men.

Keet pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted burglary and was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Melton admitted two counts of attempted burglary, one of burglary and one count of robbery and was sentenced to nine years.

Passing sentence on September 29, His Honour Judge Jones, referring to the Selborne robbery, told Melton: “This was a mean offence on an elderly man in the later stages of his life. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Detective Constable Jo Smith said: “The crimes committed by these two men are absolutely disgusting. They deliberately targeted homes in remote areas with vulnerable occupants, and they would then attempt to con their way into their homes. Sadly, two of the victims have passed away so will not witness the sentence that these men thoroughly deserve.

“I hope the sentences send a clear message to any other individuals considering committing the same crimes. We do not tolerate this behaviour in Surrey and we will prosecute you.”