A THIEF who targeted the homes of elderly Nantwich residents while they slept in their beds is behind bars, after admitting a spate of burglaries across Cheshire.

Carl Haddock 51, of Gwersillt, Wrexham appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 3 and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Cheshire Police launched Operation Dothan in response to a rise in burglaries across Chester.

Forensic and CCTV evidence led officers from Blacon Pro Active Team and Crewe CID to Haddock’s home, where officers recovered property stolen from burglaries.

When he was arrested, Haddock was found to be wearing a watch and a pair of trainers which were stolen.

He admitted to offences in the Chester, Nantwich and the Buckley area of North Wales.

Detective Constable Lestyn Lewis-Jones said: “The sentence Carl Haddock received reflects the severity of his crimes and the Judge rightly saw that he was targeting elderly vulnerable victims while they were sleeping in their beds.”

Offences included burglaries committed this year in Park View and South Crofts, Nantwich.

Haddock admitted a further 16 offences to be taken into consideration, nine of which involved elderly victims aged between 68 and 93 years old living in residential homes.

All of the crimes were committed by Haddock during the hours of darkness when his victims were asleep in bed.