Mark Rhodes, 25, of no fixed abode, was arrested in Ipswich on May 1 after his photo appeared in the Most Wanted section of the BBC's Crimewatch UK programme.

His offending took place nationwide – including six addresses in north Northumberland.

Rhodes pleaded guilty to 16 offences – eight distraction burglaries, and eight frauds.

He later admitted committing a further ten distraction burglaries and 41 fraud offences, all of which were taken into consideration by the sentencing judge at Gloucester Crown Court last week.
T
he offences were mainly committed over a four-month period during 2009, with a handful of isolated offences taking place in 2007 and 2008, and took place in 18 police force areas.

Rhodes targeted the six Northumberland addresses in January this year.
On January 25, a man in Berwick gave him cash after he claimed he was having financial problems.

On January 29 he called at properties in Alnwick and Shilbottle, telling the occupants he was having financial difficulties. On all three occasions he left empty-handed.

On January 30 he called at a property in Belford where he was given cash.

The following day, he asked a householder in Longhoughton for money.
On each occasion he claimed to be connected with the local church to gain entry to the properties.