A man has been jailed after conning a 94-year-old woman out of £300 after promising to repave her driveway.
Simon Doherty, 51 of Willow Park, Horton, Leighton Buzzard, admitted fraud and burglary on 17 May 2021, after promising to resurface the victim’s driveway in Meir after she paid him £300 in March last year. A further £2,000 was also stolen.
He was jailed for a total of three years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (2 July).
The court heard how the victim handed over £300 and was watching Doherty as he washed her driveway on 12 March 2020, when another man went inside her property and stole £2,000 in cash.
Doherty was disturbed when a woman visited the property to collect money for milk deliveries.
The incident left the victim shaken but unhurt.
Officers carried out inquiries and Doherty was subsequently arrested.
In interview, Doherty replied “no comment” to all questions posed by officers.
However, he was later charged and then admitted the offences.
Speaking of the case, the officer in charge, said: “This was a callous and targeted theft against a vulnerable elderly person.
“Doherty knew what he was doing and clearly took advantage of the victim’s nature.
“I am pleased we were able to put Doherty behind bars and that he won’t pose a threat to other people who may also fall victim to his lies.”
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