The ‘gift of the gab’ burglar who preyed on vulnerable Sheffield pensioners

A distraction burglar with the "gift of the gab" who preyed on elderly people during a four-week crime spree in Sheffield, left them feeling "sick and anxious," a court heard.
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Matthew Makey stole cash and bank cards from a 65-year-old woman when he called at her home at 4pm, on July 29, prosecutor David Webster told Sheffield Crown Court, on Wednesday.

On Saturday, August 3, at 8.10pm, he told a 75-year-old woman her neighbour's dog was his, before stealing £100 in cash, and bank cards, which he used to buy booze, tobacco and groceries from Asda.

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"All I keep thinking is what could have happened," she later told police. "I feel sick and anxious."

Matthew MakeyMatthew Makey
Matthew Makey

Ten days later he told an 85-year-old woman his son had thrown something into her back garden, said Mr Webster.

While she was distracted, he took a purse containing £100 in cash, bank cards, a picture of her late husband, her bus pass, hearing aid batteries and heart medication.

The woman, who lives alone, said: "Things were taken that can't be replaced."

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On August 20, he told a 70-year-old man and his disabled wife that he was leaving the trolley for a neighbour, but he was unable to steal anything.

He then went nextdoor and asked the 83-year-old female occupant for a glass of water, before grabbing jewellery.

On the same day he advised an 81-year-old woman to lock her doors, after chatting with her and stealing £200 in cash and her watch.

The victim, who lost her sister shortly before, described him as "brazen", with the gift of the gab, who "seemed to be my friend."

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The court heard he began offending aged 12, and had 21 convictions for 64 offences, with a series of prison sentences.

Rebecca Tanner, mitigating, said: "He fully accepts that his behaviour is nothing short of deplorable. These are mean offences."

She said the burglaries funded a drug addiction, but there was a gap in his offending when he was drug-free and working as a fencer.

Makey, 41, of Boynton Road, Sheffield, admitted the burglaries and two counts of fraud.

Recorder Simon Kealey QC handed him five years and three months.