Colombian gang member who targeted elderly people at cashpoints across Britain is deported part-way through his jail term

Armet Cortes, 55, was removed from Britain mid-sentence after he and accomplice Willmer Guzman, 63, admitted conspiracy to steal more than £63,000 from 14 victims across Sunderland, Newcastle, Hexham, Scarborough and London. The Colombian pair used silent hand signals to identify targets withdrawing large sums, then struck using distraction techniques. Guzman was deported earlier this year; Cortes followed after serving part of his 44-month term.

One victim had £10,000 stolen after gang members tailed her home by bus and then distracted her while raiding her property.

Another victim lost her savings to the gang and, as a result, had to put off retirement and go back to work.

Judge Andrew Smith said the gang deliberately targeted people 'unlikely to fight back or challenge' them.