A man has been jailed following a string of burglaries in which he targeted elderly residents in sheltered accommodation.

Michael Loraine, 57, of County Road appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on November 22 after being charged with two counts of burglary.

He had pleaded guilty to all the offences at an earlier hearing and was sent to prison for five years and three months

Loraine was arrested in June for a series of burglaries which took place earlier this year.

In a victim impact statement released to the court, one of the victims said: “I always thought living in sheltered housing would mean that I was safer than most.

"I never heard anyone come into my lounge – it alarmed me because he could have done anything to me while I was asleep.

“I wake in the night thinking that someone might be coming into my lounge again. I am more reluctant to go out because I don’t want to leave my property unattended. Sometimes I feel like a nervous wreck.”

DC Jared Yalden from Operation Fortitude in Swindon said: “These crimes have had a big impact on their victims.

“Wiltshire Police take all burglaries very seriously and are determined to bring offenders like Loraine to justice.”

The defendant was also ordered to pay £190 as a victim surcharge.