A CONMAN behind string of burglaries on the homes of vulnerable pensioners is on the run after being given bail by a Court.

Gary Tubb masterminded a sophisticated plot in which he and partner-in-crime Sharon Carrington posed as police officers to fleece five elderly people out of more than £100,000 worth of jewellery.

But after being convicted by a jury after his former accomplice gave evidence against him, Tubb failed to turn up at court to be sentenced. He was jailed for six years in his absence.

Tubb, 42, of Hillside Road, Lymington, was found guilty of five counts of burglary and one attempted burglary at his trial.

Carrington, 46, of Vicarage Gardens, Hordle, admitted four charges and asked for two similar offences to be taken into consideration.

She was locked up for 16 months.

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Judge John Harrow issued a warrant for Gary Tubb’s arrest after he failed to turn up for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Prosecutor Christopher Stopa said Tubb phoned the victims, who were all in their 80s, telling them he was a police superintendent and that he had sent an officer to investigate burglary claims or give advice on crime prevention.

While elderly homeowners were distracted on the phone, mother-of-two Carrington used a fake ID badge acquired by her accomplice and scoured each house for valuables.

The pair were caught after a sixth bungled raid in Highcliffe. When they discovered their haul was of a low value they decided to return and take more expensive items. The suspicious homeowner phoned the police who lay in wait and arrested Carrington.

Carrington gave evidence against Tubb, preventing six elderly victims from having to appear in the witness box and leading to the recovery of half the jewellery. Mr Stopa said: “This was a sophisticated scheme, set up by Tubb.’’ In mitigation for Tubb, the court heard that no violence had been used and he was the primary carer for his terminally ill daughter.

Mitigating for Carrington, Robert Gray said she had been bullied by Tubb who had recruited her at a time when she was vulnerable. She was previously of good character, the court was told.

Judge Harrow said that the con could not have worked without Carrington, adding: “This was a clever plan but it needed your co-operation.’’