Sheffield burglar who preyed on the elderly jailed for 10 years thanks to DNA evidence

Wayne Robert Hucknall, 35, of no-fixed-address, was arrested and charged in connection to four burglaries and three robberies committed between May and June last year after financial enquiries and forensics tied him to the crimes.

Hucknall appeared before Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, May 3), where he was jailed for ten years after entering guilty pleas.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dave Ollerenshaw, said: “Hucknall’s first offence in this series was committed on May 16 last year, where he entered a house in Darnall, stealing a handbag and its contents.

“As soon as the incident was reported, financial checks were carried out and we could see that the bank card that had been stolen had been used elsewhere and Hucknall was subsequently identified.

“Over the course of a month he then went on to commit further crimes, across both Sheffield and Rotherham, deliberately targeting elderly people.

“On one occasion in early June, Hucknall approached two elderly women who were visiting Sheffield and tried to pull their handbags from them, causing them to fall to the floor.

“He made off with one bag after the strap broke but his blood left on the strap led to a DNA match with Hucknall.

“Just over a week later, Hucknall was arrested after he approached the home of a 92-year-old woman in Handsworth, forcing his way in and taking her purse.

“Officers were quick to react and arrested him not far from the address. Due to the evidence gathered, we were able to quickly charge him and bring him before the court.

“Hucknall deliberately targeted elderly people, preying on their vulnerabilities and I hope the victim’s feel safer knowing that he’s now serving a substantial sentence behind bars.”