A 44-year-old builder convicted of plotting to burgle old and vulnerable householders has been warned he is going to jail for a long time when he is sentenced on Monday.

Stewart Marshall, who was in custody throughout his trial, was sent back behind bars yesterday afternoon after he was found guilty by a jury at Bradford Crown Court.

Judge John Potter told Marshall: “You must prepare yourself to receive a significant and long custodial sentence in this case.”

Marshall’s former work colleague, and his partner and daughter, were all cleared of any involvement in his criminality.

Len Lawrence, 49, of Bush Hill Fold, Queensbury, was acquitted of conspiracy to burgle.

Marshall, of Mayfield Rise, Wyke, Bradford, was convicted of converting criminal property, in the form of a cheque, but his daughter, Paige Marshall, 20, of the same address, was found not guilty.

Emma Croasdell, 38, also of Mayfield Rise, was cleared of arranging to control criminal property.

All three thanked the jurors as they were discharged from the dock.

Lawrence, a home improvements salesman, said during the trial that he was highly thought of by his bosses and it would be totally out-of-character for him to fleece old and vulnerable householders.

Paige Marshall and Emma Croasdell believed cheques Marshall asked them to put through their bank accounts were legitimate.

Paige Marshall told the court: “He asked me to do him a favour and I did him a favour.

“I had no reason to suspect him or accuse him of doing something wrong.”

Croasdell told the jury she thought Marshall did gardening work but they lived separate lives and she did not take much notice.

She would not have allowed him to use her account if she had suspected the cheques were not legitimate.

Judge Potter will sentence Stewart Marshall at 10am on Monday after hearing mitigation from his barrister, Ken Green.

During the trial, the jury heard that Marshall targeted frail and vulnerable victims, with an average age of 90, stealing thousands of pounds from them.

He offered to help with building work at people’s homes so he could steal from them.

People with dementia, mobility problems and blindness were among his victims.

A number of papers were found at his home with names and addresses and endorsement such as ‘Nutty old bat’, ‘Mrs disabled’ and ‘Mr has Alzheimer’s’ and ‘we have been at the door before’.