A 35-year-old man admitted to 12 burglaries in Lacock, Holt and Shaw at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Leroy Winter, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the charges after being arrested on Thursday and has been remanded in custody to appear before Swindon Crown Court for sentencing at a future date.

Detective Constable Richard Jones, from the priority crime team in Melksham, said this type of crime will not be tolerated.

“The man has been a blight on the society of Wiltshire,” he said.

“We will not tolerate this type of behaviour from anyone and we will do all we can to stop these types of crimes which are highly distressing for the victims.

“The serious nature of the crimes and the fact that some of the victims were elderly and repeatedly targeted meant that he was remanded in custody.”