A third man has been sentenced in connection with a "shameful" con against elderly people across the south east.

Working alongside his brother and father, who have already been jailed, Jesse Webb, aged 19 and of The Paddocks, Lyne Road, Virginia Water, in Surrey, would travel far and wide looking for older people to target, and they are believed to have gained £15,000 from their crimes.

35 incidents were linked to the men, including one in Watford on February 13 2012 and February 4 2013, involving an 81-year-old man.

The father and two sons would stop victims, usually close to their homes, claim they had completed roofing work on their property and had returned to collect payment for the work.

Often their victims, some of whom suffered from memory impairment through dementia or Alzheimer's, would believe them.

The complex investigation was led by Operation Manhunt, a unit set up by police to investigate distraction burglary, frauds and other crimes against the elderly.

Webb's brother Jimmy Chuter, from Montrose Avenue in Datchet was sentenced up to four years for conspiracy to defraud. Their father Albert Webb, of The Paddocks, Lyne Road, Virginia Water in Surrey was sentenced to 3 1/2 years for conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to defraud and a stand-alone charge of fraud for a historic matter. This sentence will run consecutive to a sentence of 3 1/2 years received in December 2014 at Worcester Crown Court for similar offences committed while on bail.

Jesse Webb was arrested after a wanted appeal was issued by police after the sentencing of his brother and father in January. He appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, March 2 and pleaded guilty.

Wednesday, April 1 he was sentenced 12 months in prison.

Detective constable Kieran Doyle from Operation Manhunt said: "We were able to arrest his father and brother and bring them before the courts but Jesse evaded police so upon their sentencing we issued a wanted appeal to trace Jesse. We received information which left us to him and I'm pleased that he has had his day in court.

"These really were shameful crimes and it's beyond belief that they could stoop so low to pick out their victims and follow them home, and then make them believe they had carried out repairs to their house and harass them for money.

"I hope this sends a warning to others that no matter where you commit your crime, we will uncover the full extent of your criminality and track you down."