A drug dealer who took advantage of a vulnerable man, convincing him to transfer his home over for no money to use as a base to sell crack cocaine, has been jailed.
Victor Asamoah, aged 34 and from Old Fallings Crescent, Wolverhampton, was sentenced by Gloucester Crown Court, sitting at Cirencester Courthouse, on Friday (4 July).
Following a trial which had finished earlier that day, he was found guilty of one count of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine, and one count of fraud by false representation.
Asamoah was arrested last June (2024) following a warrant by Gloucestershire Constabulary as part of a regional operation by police forces across the South West, aimed at tackling drug supply networks in the region.
The court heard that Asamoah had initially befriended the victim in 2018 and became his registered carer at the victim’s home in Kingsholm, while doing work to make improvements to the property.
However, Asamoah was actually using the address as a base to sell crack cocaine, while feeding the victim’s drug habit.
After some time, the court heard, Asamoah felt that he could exploit the victim further, and influenced him to leave the entirety of his estate – including the house, valued at £320,000 – to him.
He moved the victim, who is now aged 65, into shared accommodation elsewhere and then began to approach solicitors, claiming to be his son and asking them to transfer the house into his name.
Sentencing Asamoah, recorder John Ryder KC said: “I am sure of this that it would be plain to anyone – and was plain to you – that [the victim] was extremely vulnerable.
“He suffers learning difficulties, and can only read and write to a minimum standard.
“You promoted yourself as his carer, but you had no interest in caring for him at all. From the first, you were concerned only with exploiting him for your own advantage.
“You were selling crack cocaine from his house; while you used [the address] as your premises, you lived elsewhere.
“At some stage, it became plain to you that the scope of your exploitation of [the victim] was greater than just using his premises to supply drugs.
“You recognised he was suggestible. You influenced him to make a will leaving the entirety of his estate to you.
“I am satisfied that he did not begin to understand the full implications of what he was doing. On his death, you would inherit the house. It was all he had and it was valued at £320,000.
“You convinced him that if he made a gift of the house to you, he would receive money, drugs, care and support. He agreed to transfer the house to you.
“I have already observed that there was a childlike innocence about [the victim], as far as his understanding of everyday life was concerned.
“He agreed to transfer the house to you, once again not understanding by any means the full implications of what he was doing.
“In reality, you intended to spend nothing and to provide nothing, save that which was unavoidable to transfer the house to you and in moving him out of it.”
In mitigation, the court heard Asamoah had been active in his local church and had volunteered with a charity in Birmingham, supporting people who were homeless or who suffered from cancer.
He had also played semi-professional football with Gloucester Athletic in his efforts to live a life away from crime.
However, Recorder Ryder rejected this, saying: “Your faith and activities in which you were involved through the church or charities did not for a moment restrain you from exploiting [the victim].
“You gave evidence to the jury where you lied remorselessly and relentlessly from start to finish. You exploited everyone and everything to your own advantage.”
Asamoah was sentenced to five years in prison for the supply of crack cocaine and a further four years, to be served consecutively, for the fraud by false representation. He will be eligible for release on licence after serving 40 percent of his sentence.
Recorder Ryder commended police for their efforts in investigating the case and ensuring that the victim received the support he needed.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Griffiths, who led the investigation, said: “This is an offence that could easily have been missed. There was no complaint by the victim of this case, given their vulnerabilities, and it was only through the diligence of all involved in identifying and pursuing the truth that this case was able to come to court.
“The support and work from all agencies throughout the investigation has assisted in supporting the victim and this support will continue to remove any future exploitation.
“A timetable has been set where it is hoped that police will be able to return the proceeds of the victim’s property back to them to help with their on-going support.”
PC Andy Plant, Safeguarding Officer from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a despicable case where the offender has preyed on a vulnerable victim and taken everything in the world that he had including his home.
“The victim had been coerced not to say anything to anyone, so it was difficult for the police to gain his trust initially, however over time we were able to find out the full extent of Asamoah’s deceit and obtain the right outcome for the victim.”
If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening or criminals are exploiting someone, report it to the police.
Call 101 or report online at https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.
If you wish to remain completely anonymous you can use Crimestoppers, an independent charity, by reporting online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.
