A “wicked” man who swindled hundreds of people out of cash pretending to be collecting for charity has been jailed for four years.

Ryan Knowles also conned a 78-year-old widow and stole a locket with a picture of her late husband, when he went to her home in Hew Clews, Great Horton, Bradford, where she lived with her son.

Yesterday, Bradford Crown Court heard the widow was alone when Knowles, 24, knocked on her door on the afternoon of Friday, April 19.

Prosecutor Martin Robertshaw said Knowles distracted her and she went into the kitchen for a drink.

“He then proceeded to steal £40 from the mantlepiece and a necklace locket which was valued at £250. That locket was of great sentimental value as according to the complainant there were pictures inside of her late husband and son.

“She described being devastated and angry when she realised that had been taken,” Mr Robertshaw said.

When Knowles left, the pensioner was too embarrassed to call police. A few days later she told a friend what had happened. They gave her Knowles’ name after hearing the a description of him and the police were called.

On May 4, Knowles went to the home of a 64-year-old Bradford woman and said he was collecting money for a sponsored swim.

He had an “official looking” badge round his neck and a notebook to take down names and addresses of people who had sponsored him.

But the pensioner, who lived alone, was wary of his story. She called police and described Knowles, who was stopped in the Great Horton area.

Knowles, of Idle Road, Bradford, admitted fraud and said he intended to keep the cash. In a police interview he admitted the distraction burglary.

A charge of dishonestly making false representations on more than 500 occasions during 2013 and gaining £1,920, was also taken into account by the court.

Knowles, 24, pleaded guilty to burglary, fraud and having equipment for use in fraud at an earlier hearing.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Benson said he was giving Knowles credit for an early plea. He said burglary the victim had been left frightened and shocked.

“That locket contained a picture of her dead husband and also her son. It’s never been recovered and she spoke of the upset that your selfish and wicked behaviour has caused her,” he said.

He condemned Knowles for visiting 585 homes purporting to be collecting for charity and said some of the victims were elderly people living in sheltered accommodation. “That behaviour is disgraceful,” he added.

Knowles was jailed for three years for burglary, one year, to run consecutively, for the fraud and six months, to run concurrently, for having equipment for use in fraud. He must also pay a £120 victim surcharge.

In mitigation, Ashok Khullar said shortly before the burglary, Knowles had lost his job and was unable to claim benefits, which led to problems in his relationship.