Teen, 19, conned elderly dementia sufferer

Jack Harrison, 19, was a regular visitor to the Pelsall home of his 85-year-old victim and carried out odd jobs for her.

But Wolverhampton Crown Court this week heard the woman gave him about £300 to clean windows at the property, in Shortlands Lane, between March and May last year.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting barrister, said the fraud was discovered by relatives of the pensioner who had become suspicious of the defendant's visits.

"Mrs Duckhouse lives on her own, but her two daughters look in on her and pop round around four times a week," Mr Soulsby said.

"They look after her affairs and provided her with funds so that she can live an independent life."

He said Harrison, of Defford Avenue, Shelfield, charged her £20 a time for his services, plus tips.

The defendant also stole a set of car keys from the nearby home of Arthur Cooper, 90, whom he also did odd jobs for, before taking the Ford Fiesta for a drive.

Harrison admitted one count each of fraud, theft, taking a vehicle without consent at an earlier hearing.

The court was told that he was arrested and kept in custody after he breached his bail conditions which required him to stay out of the village.

Mr Rob Perry, defending solicitor advocate, said: "He is full of remorse for his actions.

"He received no more than about £300 from her.

"He has spent some time in custody regarding these matters and that has had a significant impact on him."

He said his client had issues with cannabis use.

Harrison was sentenced to 18 months' detention at a young offenders' institute.

For the fraud he received a 12-month sentence, for the theft of the keys and for taking the car without permission he received a combined six-month sentence.

Judge Amjad Nawaz said: "He took advantage of a senior citizen whom he saw as a soft touch."