Burglars who preyed on elderly victims in Ilkley and Bingley are locked up for eight-and-a-half years

Ryan Hardaker, 35, of Cornwall Road in Bingley, was jailed for six years by Judge David Hatton QC at Bradford Crown Court. Tobias Hammond, 19, of Casapian in Baildon, was given a two-and-a-half-year youth custody sentence.

The gang targeted sheltered accommodation for the elderly at Aire Valley Court in Beech Street, Bingley, and Carnegie Court in Springs Lane, Ilkley.

Hardaker was sentenced for seven dwelling house burglaries, an attempted burglary and handling stolen goods. He pleaded guilty. All but one of his victims was elderly.

In one of the burglaries at Carnegie Court, he stole a laptop computer worth £50, two trinket boxes and money bags. In another, he stole £240 cash, and in a third he took money bags and loose change to a value of just £2.50.

At another burglary, at an address in Sleningford Road, Bingley, Hardaker stole three laptop computers and a nail kit to the value of £1,000.

In one burglary at Aire Valley Court, Hardaker stole a television, jewellery box containing antique gems, a box containing pills and a purse, worth a total of £5,200. In another burglary at a separate apartment there, he stole a television, visa card, bus pass, two purses and loose coins worth £200.

Hammond was convicted of four offences at the Ilkley complex.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Simon Woodhead, of Bradford District CID, said: "Hardaker and Hammond deliberately targeted victims who were elderly and vulnerable.

"We are pleased with the sentences they have received and hope they will send out a message to others that burglary will not be tolerated in Bradford district."

Thandi Godfrey, 33, of Ned Lane, Holme Wood, Bradford, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for receiving stolen goods.

Nina Blackett, 41, of Leonard Street in Bingley, was given a 12-month community order, with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement, for the same offence.