A Kidderminster man who stole nearly £20,000 from a vulnerable woman in her 90s was sentenced to 18 months at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (26 September).
Andrew Deakin, 50, of Biset Avenue, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.
Deakin had taken regular cash withdrawals from his elderly victim’s bank account of between £100 and £400 at a time between June 2020 and October 2022 including during the Covid-19 pandemic.
His fraudulent actions were carried out without permission with a total loss of £19,823.10.
Police investigating the case identified the locations of withdrawals where Deakin was caught on CCTV.
As well as an 18-month sentence, he was ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge. A proceeds of crime hearing is set to follow.
PC Dan Windsor of North Worcestershire Police investigated the case. He said: “We are pleased the court has recognised the gravity of this appalling crime on a vulnerable elderly lady following our lengthy investigation.
“Deakin showed himself to be the worst of us, preying on the very type of person the rest were trying to protect during the worrying times of the pandemic.
“He knowingly took advantage of a vulnerable victim who had quite innocently placed her trust in him at a time when she would have already been feeling afraid of the world outside.”
Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of fraud or knows of someone who has can report it via our website Report fraud, bribery or corruption | West Mercia Police .
