Closed: A fake pest controller tricked vulnerable people before handing over the stuff

David Payne, of Pencroft Road, Birmingham, posed as an employee of an environmental team working for the local council to carry out his crimes.

The 42-year-old targeted elderly and vulnerable residents of Birmingham and tried to trick them into thinking their homes or gardens were infested with rats.

He then tried to pressure his victims into handing over cash for useless work by threatening them with large fines.

After tricking his way into their properties, he rummaged through personal belongings and made off with items such as jewelery and cash.

It also took payment or card details for work that were never required.

West Midlands Police investigated the trend in the town for more than three months before making a breakthrough when the offender was caught on a domestic camera at one of the houses.

The image was sent for facial recognition against the national police database and came back with matches including Payne.

Payne initially denied involvement in any of the crimes, but was pulled from an ID parade three times, leading him to plead guilty to three felonies.

He was charged with 12 offenses in total and convicted of three counts of theft, one count of attempted burglary and two counts of fraud by false representation.

On 9 May, Payne appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.