Distraction thief stole money from disabled pensioner

A distraction thief stole money from a disabled pensioner in Sevenoaks just days after he had been released from prison.

Ambrose Treeby knocked on the door of a 90-year-old woman and after entering her home uninvited rifled cash from her purse.

Treeby had initially targeted a neighbour of the victim, at around lunchtime on 15 September 2024.

He struck up a conversation with this person claiming he had once attended her home to collect metal for scrap, before leaving empty handed.

Pretence

He then knocked on the victim’s door shortly after. He told her he was worried about the neighbour he had previously visited.

Treeby then entered the victim’s home without permission, under the pretence he just wanted a phone number for the neighbour he was worried about.

He produced a £20 note and asked the victim for change and saw her check her handbag. When the victim’s back was turned he stole £30 from her purse before leaving.

Police were alerted and investigating officers quickly recovered CCTV images which showed a white Citroen, registered to Treeby, entering the victim’s road.

Treeby, 40, of Queen Street, Paddock Wood, was then seen walking towards her home.

He was arrested on Tuesday 17 September and, after appearing in court on the next day, was remanded in custody.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Treeby pleaded guilty to burglary. He was sentenced on 19 December to two years and five months’ imprisonment.

Callous

Detective Constable Rosie Acton said:

‘Ambrose Treeby is a callous and heartless individual, who within just a week of being released from prison for similar offending, has once again preyed upon a victim he perceived would be vulnerable and easy pickings.  ‘Sadly, people like Treeby target older people because they are often more trusting. They exploit them in the worst possible way without a single thought to the devastating impact their crimes have on their victims’ confidence and wellbeing.’