The last member of a gang of violent conmen who preyed on elderly people in Coventry has been put behind bars for six years.

Detectives say the sentencing of James Doran, 20, of Tarquin Close, Willenhall, is the "final piece of the jigsaw".

They welcomed the sentence passed at Coventry Crown Court.

The robber, who spent months on the run, was finally nailed by sharp-eyed detectives as he went to visit his brother in prison.

Doran was this week due to stand trial for six counts of robbery after being charged in connection with a string of violent distraction burglaries last year.

But he changed his plea at the last minute, admitting two counts of robbery.

The two incidents happened within half an hour on January 13 last year.

An elderly man in Quinton Parade, Cheylesmore, was pinned down while three offenders searched his home and stole cash.

Half an hour later, the gang struck at the home of an elderly woman in Wyken Croft, Wyken, forcing her to the floor while they stole cash.

But a quick-thinking neighbour spotted what was happening and dialled 999, with officers arriving in time to catch Doran's two accomplices in the house.

Both men, including Doran's younger half-brother, were later sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery.

Det Sgt Brian Russell, who headed the investigation, code-named Operation Delgardo, said Doran went on the run until August, when he went to visit his brother in Onley youth offenders' institution.

By chance, detectives from the regional distraction burglary squad Operation Liberal were carrying out a prison visit, and immediately recognised him as a wanted man.

The squad was set up by a number of police forces in the Midlands as a chance to share intelligence on known distraction burglars, who often commit offences across a wide area.

Doran was arrested and charged, but denied the offences until his trial was due this week.

Det Sgt Russell said: "We are very pleased that these three members of the gang are off the streets - getting Doran was the final piece of the jigsaw."