A BOGUS door-to-door salesman who targeted elderly people and left his victims living in fear was today jailed for four years.

Lee Millis - said to have been an antiques dealer before becoming a heroin addict at the age of 56 - was told his crimes were "despicable".

The father-of-four ended up living in Middlesbrough after a marriage split, losing his job, his driving licence and becoming homeless.

Desperate for money for drugs, the 57-year-old toured streets looking for homes - usually bungalows - where it was obvious old folk lived.

He pretended he bought and sold jewellery and ornaments, had small clear bag full of gold and coins, and a leaflet he gave householders.

But Millis either tricked or forced his way inside the properties, tried to confuse his victims, and usually left having stolen something.

Over the course of three months last year, he struck in and around Middlesbrough at least eight times, Teesside Crown Court was told.

An 89-year-old who lost ornaments, a pendant and an emerald ring, told in a statement how she now sleeps in a different bedroom to feel safe.

A second victim, 80, is frightened to answer her door after she realised Millis had stolen two rings after bluffing his way into her home.

A 76-year-old man with Parkinson's Disease was pushed to the floor after the con-man barged into his bungalow and took an engraved watch.

Judge Deborah Sherwin told Millis, of Shoreham, Sussex: "You have been preying upon the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.

"It is no wonder these people are now facing having to spend what will be their final years worrying about who comes to their door.

"That's an appalling state of affairs in which to have to live. These are despicable crimes. Many of the items were of sentimental value."

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said Millis's spectacular fall from grace following his separation was the catalyst to his crime-spree.

"He feels utterly appalled by his behaviour," said Mr Mochrie. "He realises he has caused a significant degree of distress to those unfortunate enough to have answered the knock at their doors."

Millis admitted four burglaries, three charges of burglary with intent to steal, and one of attempted burglary at an earlier hearing.