“Gardener” From Hell – Conman Who Took Pensioners for a Ride Jailed

A cold-hearted crook who posed as a friendly gardener before fleecing elderly victims out of cash, valuables, and even shotguns has been caged. William Jones, 30, of Butts Field, Horsham, embarked on a shameless three-month spree across East Sussex – breaking into homes, spinning lies on doorsteps, and draining pensioners’ savings while on licence for […]

A cold-hearted crook who posed as a friendly gardener before fleecing elderly victims out of cash, valuables, and even shotguns has been caged.

William Jones, 30, of Butts Field, Horsham, embarked on a shameless three-month spree across East Sussex – breaking into homes, spinning lies on doorsteps, and draining pensioners’ savings while on licence for similar crimes.

The serial thief first struck on 28 February in Milton Road, Eastbourne, smashing through a garden gate to steal £500 worth of property. Days later, on 3 March, he targeted a Heathfield home, stealing £200 worth of goods and trying to break into the garage.

His lowest act came in Hailsham on 21 March, when he did gardening for a 75-year-old woman for £150. Ten days later, he was back demanding £1,000 for more “work and materials” – even driving the pensioner to post offices and a bank in Eastbourne to withdraw the money. He pocketed the cash and never returned.

Jones went on to burgle a Polegate home on 14 April, stealing jewellery and cash, before sweet-talking his way into a Heathfield address on 24 April and leaving with four legally owned shotguns.

Police tracked him down and arrested him on 21 May. Jones admitted multiple burglaries, thefts, fraud, and driving offences at Lewes Crown Court, and on 7 August was jailed for two years and two months. He must also pay £228 in costs.