Menu
14/01/2010
Prolific Distraction Burglar Jailed
A prolific distraction burglar who posed as a police officer to gain entry to his elderly victims' homes has been jailed for six years.
Inner London Crown Court ruled Peter Kerrigan, 22, from Hackney, would serve the sentence in a secure unit.
Kerrigan committed a series of distraction burglaries across London.
The spree began just weeks after he was released early from an eight year prison sentence in the north of England for a string of previous burglary offences.
Kerrigan had pleaded guilty to six charges of residential distraction burglary committed in June and July last year.
Kerrigan specifically targeted vulnerable victims, ranging in age from 75 to 92.
The court heard how he would adopt a number of personas to gain the trust of his victims.
Over this time he claimed to be a Metropolitan police office.
Kerrigan first attempted to gain entry to a flat in Marcon Place on 21 June.
He was disturbed after climbing in through an open window of the flat of a 75-year-old man, and ran out.
Kerrigan then managed to get into the flat of another resident in Marcon Place, a 92-year-old woman, whose purse and house keys he stole before being disturbed by the victim.
On 23 June, he entered the flat of an 83-year-old woman, in Tresham Walk, where he stole cash.
On Sunday 28 June, he knocked on the door of an 88-year-old woman claiming to be a police officer.
He stated the resident should check her money to make sure she had not been robbed.
Kerrigan asked for a drink of water when inside, and while his victim was in the kitchen, he stole £820 from her purse.
On Thursday July 2, Kerrigan ran into a flat where he told the female resident, aged 88, that he was a police officer who had been robbed and she needed to check her money and purse.
The victim was confused and realized only afterwards that her property had been searched. Nothing was stolen.
Following this offence police identified Kerrigan as the main suspect to these crimes.
Attempts were made to arrest him, but Kerrigan had already gone on the run.
Kerrigan committed one further offence whilst on the run on 15 July 2009 at Vivien Court, Maida Vale, where the suspect gained entry after telling an 82-year-old female he was a police officer. He stole £110 from her purse.
Kerrigan was traced and arrested by by specialist officers on 16 July in Leghorn Road, Harlesden, whilst preparing to leave to drive to Eire.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Thompson said: "Peter Kerrigan was a danger to the public and the sentence in placing him in a secure unit reflects this."
(PR/GK)
Inner London Crown Court ruled Peter Kerrigan, 22, from Hackney, would serve the sentence in a secure unit.
Kerrigan committed a series of distraction burglaries across London.
The spree began just weeks after he was released early from an eight year prison sentence in the north of England for a string of previous burglary offences.
Kerrigan had pleaded guilty to six charges of residential distraction burglary committed in June and July last year.
Kerrigan specifically targeted vulnerable victims, ranging in age from 75 to 92.
The court heard how he would adopt a number of personas to gain the trust of his victims.
Over this time he claimed to be a Metropolitan police office.
Kerrigan first attempted to gain entry to a flat in Marcon Place on 21 June.
He was disturbed after climbing in through an open window of the flat of a 75-year-old man, and ran out.
Kerrigan then managed to get into the flat of another resident in Marcon Place, a 92-year-old woman, whose purse and house keys he stole before being disturbed by the victim.
On 23 June, he entered the flat of an 83-year-old woman, in Tresham Walk, where he stole cash.
On Sunday 28 June, he knocked on the door of an 88-year-old woman claiming to be a police officer.
He stated the resident should check her money to make sure she had not been robbed.
Kerrigan asked for a drink of water when inside, and while his victim was in the kitchen, he stole £820 from her purse.
On Thursday July 2, Kerrigan ran into a flat where he told the female resident, aged 88, that he was a police officer who had been robbed and she needed to check her money and purse.
The victim was confused and realized only afterwards that her property had been searched. Nothing was stolen.
Following this offence police identified Kerrigan as the main suspect to these crimes.
Attempts were made to arrest him, but Kerrigan had already gone on the run.
Kerrigan committed one further offence whilst on the run on 15 July 2009 at Vivien Court, Maida Vale, where the suspect gained entry after telling an 82-year-old female he was a police officer. He stole £110 from her purse.
Kerrigan was traced and arrested by by specialist officers on 16 July in Leghorn Road, Harlesden, whilst preparing to leave to drive to Eire.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Thompson said: "Peter Kerrigan was a danger to the public and the sentence in placing him in a secure unit reflects this."
(PR/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2009
Old Trafford Rape Appeal
Detectives in Greater Manchester have appealed for a man who spoke to a rape victim moments after a vicious attack to come forward. The incident took place at around 10.30pm on Tuesday 1 September 2009 on a grassed area between Chorlton Road and Maher Gardens.
Old Trafford Rape Appeal
Detectives in Greater Manchester have appealed for a man who spoke to a rape victim moments after a vicious attack to come forward. The incident took place at around 10.30pm on Tuesday 1 September 2009 on a grassed area between Chorlton Road and Maher Gardens.
20 March 2009
Man Admits Double Killings
The Crown court is to pursue charges of murder against a 28-year-old man held over the deaths of two sisters. Mohammed Ali has already admitted the manslaughter of 22-year-old Yasmine Larbi-Cherif and her 20-year-old sister Sabrina, who were found stabbed in their Birmingham flat last year.
Man Admits Double Killings
The Crown court is to pursue charges of murder against a 28-year-old man held over the deaths of two sisters. Mohammed Ali has already admitted the manslaughter of 22-year-old Yasmine Larbi-Cherif and her 20-year-old sister Sabrina, who were found stabbed in their Birmingham flat last year.
09 November 2007
Grading Proposed For Speeding Drivers
A system of grading for those caught speeding on the UK's roads has been proposed. Drivers caught speeding could be given more penalty points on their licence depending on how much over the speed limit they are. Ministers are looking at a scheme under which the worst offenders would get six points on their driving licence.
Grading Proposed For Speeding Drivers
A system of grading for those caught speeding on the UK's roads has been proposed. Drivers caught speeding could be given more penalty points on their licence depending on how much over the speed limit they are. Ministers are looking at a scheme under which the worst offenders would get six points on their driving licence.
12 November 2014
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
29 August 2014
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
