A FORMER double glazing salesman conned his way into the homes of elderly people using his old doorstep sales technique, a court heard.

Barry John Smith sounded convincing discussing his victims' glazing needs, but after distracting them, usually by asking for a drink of water, he made off with money and other possessions.

Smith was finally cornered thanks to neighbours of an elderly victim in Redcar, and was yesterday jailed for three years at Durham Crown Court.

The court heard that the 36-year-old gambling addict struck from Bournemouth, to Bristol and Blackpool.

Living out of a caravan he moved to the North-East, conning his way into elderly people's homes in Hunwick, near Crook, County Durham, and finally at Redcar, last November.

Michael Bosomworth, defending, said Smith, up to the age of 25, earned good money as a double glazing salesman. But an addiction to gambling lost him a £21,000 inheritancy and his job.

Smith, of no fixed abode, admitted two burglary charges and asked for five deception offences to be considered.