A Co Tyrone joiner conned his way into the homes of elderly women on the pretence of carrying out repairs for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Cookstown Magistrates' court was told yesterday. Francis Eugene Burke (31), Derrytresk Road, Coalisland, pleaded guilty to burgling the homes of five women, the eldest aged 87. The case was adjourned for pre-sentencing reports.
The court was told that Burke was a compulsive gambler and he had committed the offences to get money to feed his addiction. A police inspector said Burke had stolen £250 and £85 from two of the houses.