A DRUG addict pretended to be a roofing contractor so he could rummage through an elderly couple's home and steal hundreds of pounds of cash from them.

Slough man Stanley Butler struck at a home in Chalfont St Peter, but avoided a prison term for his crimes so he could be treated for his drug addiction.

After the trial, police said they were "disappointed" the 26-year-old was punished with a Drugs Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) after pleading guilty to two separate distraction burglaries between March and May 2003.

Det Con Liz Scurlock, of High Wycombe CID, said: "On balance, I am somewhat disappointed with the verdict, as I would have expected Butler to receive a custodial sentence for these crimes, such is their severity."

Butler was originally arrested and charged on November 25, 2003, but absconded before the case came to trial.

He was caught and rearrested in November 2004.

Det Con Scurlock added: "It has been a protracted investigation and I'd like to thank the victims for their support. Without this, Butler would not have been convicted of these serious crimes.

"Distraction burglaries are often difficult to solve, but thanks to the help of the victims of these incidents we have been able to secure this conviction."

Oxford Crown Court heard how on March 25, 2003, Butler approached an elderly couple in Nortoft Road, Chalfont St Peter, with a view to replacing some missing roof tiles.

Butler managed to sweet-talk himself inside the couple's home where he quickly got to work searching rooms while pretending to be surveying the damage.

Despite the couple's concern, Butler escaped with a wallet complete with £200 cash and a credit card, the court was told.

Two months later, Butler carried out another distraction burglary at a newsagents in Village Road, Denham.