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Text Box: 'Watchman' is caged

Text Box: A career distraction burglar who targeted dozens of pensioners across Lancashire has been jailed for five years. Leslie Fishwick, 55, tricked his way into victims' homes by asking if they had antique furniture for sale before taking cash and valuables from inside.

Text Box: His victims, aged between 70 and 94, were targeted in Preston; Chorley; Wesham, Accrington and Bacup. He also operated in Greater Manchester and was jailed at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to nine counts of burglary. Fishwick, of Newlands Avenue, Bolton, asked for 17 similar offences to be taken into consideration. Det Insp Simon Collier, one of the investigating officers, said: "He deliberately targeted elderly people and stole from them in a systematic manner, using one victim to gain information about another. "He was callous and has shown no remorse for the pain he has caused." Officers from Greater Manchester and Lancashire were hunting The Watchman since 1995. Fishwick's method was to gain access to an elderly person's home by using the guise of being a watch, clock and antique dealer. He had put together a crude identity badge and a booklet of items that he would show his victims. He had a good memory and having burgled addresses in one area, would then return two years later. Fishwick's spree ended when he was arrested on September 19 after officers received a call from an 84-year-old woman who reported him acting suspiciously in Bolton. Officers searched his home and found clocks, watches, jewellery and assorted ornaments. There was more than £96,000 kept in neatly stacked bundles of £20 notes and £56,000 in his account. They found that he had been claiming benefits during his crime spree. It is believed he sold the items at car boot sale and flea markets . Officers have recovered a large number of items they are keen to return to their owners. Anyone who believes the had items stolen can contact police on 01772 614444. Police have already returned an antique wall clock stolen by Fishwick.

Text Box: 16 December 2005

This article has been reproduced by kind permission of the L.E.P.

 

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