Man forged signature to buy bride
A Wolverhampton man forged his ill mother's signature in order to re-mortgage the house they jointly owned to pay off debts and buy a foreign bride, a court heard.
A Wolverhampton man forged his ill mother's signature in order to re-mortgage the house they jointly owned to pay off debts and buy a foreign bride, a court heard.
Stephen Collymore signed his 68-year-old mother's name on a land registry document in 2004 to obtain £35,000 from Halifax, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 42-year-old, of Tyburn Road in Wednesfield, was said to have used the money to pay off debts and buy a foreign bride, although no-one ever arrived in the UK.
Collymore, who was reported to the police by his mother Joanna, was yesterday handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Miss Rhiannon Jones, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and his mother jointly purchased the home in Eastfield Road in 2002 from Wolverhampton Council and they lived together. In October 2004 the defendant forged his mother's signature on the land registry document and obtained the mortgage from Halifax at £35,000.
"He used the £35,000 to pay off debts and on the promise a woman would come over to the UK to marry him but no-one ever did."
Miss Jones continued Mrs Collymore first realised something was wrong when a man came knocking on her door asking for money.
"Mrs Collymore answered the door in April last year and a man asked for some money he was owed," Miss Jones said. "She spoke to her daughter who helped her discover the true state of affairs.
"She was shocked and fearful of having to leave her home and live in sheltered accommodation."
Mrs Collymore, who suffers from diabetes and angina, went to the police in July 2008 to tell them what had happened and her son was arrested months later in September.
A statement from Mrs Collymore read out in court said: "This has shocked and upset me. I'm worrying all the time about losing my home."
Miss Diljit Bachada, defending, said: "This has dented the relationship with mum and son. He no longer lives with her. This has affected the whole family. The defendant didn't think he was causing any harm to anyone. He thought he was remortgaging his house and pay off debts, getting a wife who he might have children with. He did not want to hurt his mother."
Miss Bachada added Collymore's mum was a "church lady" and had since forgiven her son.
Recorder Edward Coke told Collymore: "What you did was very wrong. It affected your mother greatly. She has looked after you so well and you repay her like this. I'm not sending you to prison and it's because of your previous good character and because your family is here to support you."
Unemployed Collymore admitted one charge of forgery and obtaining money by transfer. He was told by Recorder Coke he would also have to wear an electronic tag and stay at home between 8pm-5am for three months.
