Thief who preyed on gay community is jailed (From The Argus)

Thief who preyed on gay community is jailed

2:20pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A conman befriended hundreds of gay men before stealing their belongings.

Nicholas Rowell, 44, committed dozens of offences of victims and claimed scores of victims while on the run from jail.

Rowell, nicknamed “Slick Nick”, would meet men through dating websites and small ads, earn their trust then steal their cars, cash, computers and valuables.

He had been jailed for five years for burglary, theft and deception but walked out of an open prison in Kent and went on a crime spree across the country, stealing thousands of pounds worth of property from victims.

In each case he gained his victim's confidence, stayed overnight and was given house keys before disappearing and taking his hosts' property with him.

He was finally caught after he burgled a Horsham bed and breakfast and his getaway car was spotted in Preston, Lancashire.

He was sentenced to five years in jail after admitting theft and burglary at Preston Crown Court.

Sussex Police said had been behind hundreds of similar offences, all targeting victims from the gay community.