Jail for “despicable” robber who targeted the elderly
He pulled an elderly woman to the ground before fleeing with £1000 in cash
A man has been jailed for over five years after robbing and targeting elderly victims in Peterborough, Crowland, and Eye Green.
Thomas Honeyman, 36, committed multiple offences in March 2023, including robbery, burglaries, and thefts.
On 10th March, Honeyman stole a white Jeep from a business in Fengate, Peterborough and drove it to an elderly woman’s home in Crowland.
He pretended to be from a pest control company and pressured the victim into paying him £28. When the victim returned with her purse, he attempted to grab it, pulling her to the ground before fleeing with £1000 in cash.
Later that day, Honeyman stole a leaf blower from a landscaper on a nearby street.
Two days later, on 12th March, he persuaded an elderly man in Eye Green to let him into his home under the pretence of fixing the boiler before stealing the man’s wife’s handbag.
Earlier that month, on 5th March, Honeyman stole a handbag from an elderly woman in Werrington, Peterborough, who had temporarily placed it on the roof of her car.
On the same day, he stole a wheelbarrow and power tool from B&Q on Maskew Avenue, then travelled to Crowland where he stole tools from the back of a van.
Police seized the stolen Jeep used in some of the offences and linked Honeyman to it through forensic examination. They also found the stolen leaf blower inside the vehicle.
Honeyman was arrested on 15th March in the same clothing he wore during several of the crimes.
Honeyman admitted robbery, two counts of burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft from a person, theft from a motor vehicle and theft from a shop.
At Cambridge Crown Court on 20th November, he was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars.
PC Craig Trevor said: “These were despicable crimes. To use a variety of distraction techniques and target elderly people in their own homes like this was callous.
“Honeyman’s persistent offending showed a complete lack of regard for other people as he relentlessly stole with no thought to the consequences of his actions.
“Offences like these can have a significant long-term psychological impact on victims, as well as the initial trauma they experience.
“I’m pleased Honeyman was apprehended and by conducting cross-border investigative work with Lincolnshire Police he has now been jailed for his actions.”