Richard Groves murder: Cousin in scam to steal from victim's bank account

Darren Lander was jailed for at least 15 years and five months last week after he savagely attacked 32-year-old Mr Groves shortly after starting to stay at his flat at Alfred Gunn House in Thompson Road, Langley.

At Walsall Magistrates Court, Christopher Bonner, the 38 year old cousin of Mr Groves, admitted one charge of fraud by false representation where he used the bank card of Mr Groves at the Post Office on High Street, Oldbury, two days after his death.

The transaction, made after Bonner had been given the card by Lander, only totalled £2 but the court heard that in the weeks following the murder, Bonner and Philip McEvoy, 42, from Yardley Close in Oldbury, used the card a number of times, withdrawing around £500 that the pair spent on drugs.

During the hearing, Ms Alka Brigue, prosecuting, said that McEvoy had been given the card by Bonner, who told him to withdraw the money on behalf of the pair, while each's defence solicitor said neither man knew that the card belonged to the deceased Mr Groves.

Prosecuting McEvoy, who pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud by false representation, Ms Brigue said: "When officers examined the body of Mr Groves, they saw that his pockets were turned inside out and began to investigate his financial affairs.

"They saw that in the days since his death, there had been activity on his bank card and began to try and track down who was responsible for this.

"CCTV enquiries were carried out with shops where the card had been used and this led officers to Mr McEvoy."

Defending McEvoy, Dawn Foxhall said: "The police have never made a case that either defendant knew that this card belonged to Mr Groves.

"Mr McEvoy can't read or write so didn't recognise the name on the card.

"He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity after being caught by police and helped with enquiries.

"He was in a bad place at the time, suffering with drug addiction and he now wants to continue with the stable life he has developed since then."

Prosecuting Bonner, who claimed to have only had the card for the one transaction, Ms Brigue said: "He has accepted he used the card on one occasion and tested positive for drugs when he was taken in by police."

Defending Bonner, Roy Patterson said: "This is a bit bizarre because the victim of the murder is my defendants cousin.

"He didn't know that the card belonged to Mr Groves and since this has come to light he has suffered a great deal, he wasn't allowed to attend the funeral and has been shunned by his family.

"He wants to build bridges."

McEvoy was given a 12 month community order, told to do 20 days of rehabilitation activity and comply with a six month low intensity drug rehabilitation programme.

He was also ordered to pay £502 compensation for the money stolen, which will either go to Mr Groves next of kin or to the Department for Work and Pensions, an £85 victims surcharge and £135 court costs.

Bonner was given an eight week curfew, ordered to pay £2 compensation for the one transaction he carried out, as well as a victim surcharge of £85 and court costs of £135.

Chief Magistrate Derek Aldritt said: "We do consider that these offences could cross the custody threshold, however we have taken into account both early guilty pleas."