A Lowestoft burglar who preyed on elderly victims in sheltered accommodation has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Vincent Day, 49, of Marine Parade, pleaded guilty to two burglary offences and was convicted on Monday, November 20, at Ipswich Crown Court.

During the first incident on May 27, a women in her 90s, discovered Day in her bedroom looking through her chest of drawers.

When she questioned the burglar he fled empty handed.

The second incident happened on May 29 when a man in his 80s saw Day walking out of his bedroom.

The elderly man challenged Day who claimed he had been looking for someone else.

Again he left empty handed.

Det Con Kim Shrubsall, of Lowestoft CID, said: 'We were able to arrest Day just a few days after the crimes and build a compelling case against him, ultimately leading to his conviction.

'The judge also took into account the fact he has previous convictions for burglary offences that occurred in 2012 and 2014.'

She added: 'Burglary is an invasion of people's homes and their personal space and can be very upsetting and distressing for the victims.

'Hopefully the sentence given in this case will provide some peace of mind to Day's victims and also act as a deterrent to other would-be burglars.'