A man has been remanded in prison on suspicion of stealing thousands of pounds from elderly residents in the Black Country.

West Midlands Police arrested John McDonald on 28 February in connection with a series of distraction burglaries in Dudley and Walsall that saw an offender pose as a council worker and gardener to trick his way inside people’s homes.

It’s alleged McDonald, from Booth Street in Blakenall, struck six times between 7 November last year and 7 January at addresses in Brierley Hill, Lower Gornal, Coseley, Netherton and Pleck.

The 43-year-old has been charged with a total of six distraction burglaries and one count of fraud by false representation when it’s claimed he purported to be working for Severn Trent Water. His alleged victims are aged between 81 and 87-years-old.

He appeared before Dudley magistrates on Tuesday and was remanded into prison ahead of his next appearance at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 3 April.