JAILED: Conman builder fleeced pensioner out of more than £16,000
A builder who fleeced a vulnerable client out of more than £16,000 was starting a two year six month jail term today.
Timothy Hale targeted Ken Morris while project managing the construction of a £30,000 garage at the home of the 71-year-old, who is hard of hearing and has failing sight.
Mr Morris had a long standing grudge over the failure to get his money back after spending £19,500 on a Mercedes that turned out to have been stolen.
He was awarded compensation but had not received a penny ten years later.
He explained the situation to Hale, aged 56, who – realising the unmarried client was wealthy – offered to get him a solicitor for £17,300 in 2012, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The defendant introduced him to the 'lawyer,' called Julie, who, in reality, was Hales' sister Julie Brennan.
She is 58 and has no legal training.
The victim gave her the 'fee' in two instalments while her co defendant found a legitimate solicitor who took control of the case for Mr Morris at a cost of £3,925.
This was paid from the money handed over by Mr Morris with the balance kept by the two tricksters while Hale pocketed a further £3,000 in 2014 by pretending it was needed to evict the man who sold the dud Mercedes.
In fact he had already moved out of his Walsall home.
Hale denied receiving the money and alleged Mr Morris was confused.
Brennan took almost £35,000 more from Mr Morris by suggesting it was a 'loan' that would be repaid from £65,000 damages she reportedly expected after a dog bit her, the court was told.
Police were finally alerted after a concerned neighbour raised the alarm.
Both defendants were found guilty of involvement in the £17,300 'solicitor' fraud while Brennan was further convicted in relation to the near £35,000 'loan' deception and Hale was separately found guilty of the £3,000 'eviction' swindle. All charges had been denied.
Hale, from Farm Road, Rowley Regis, was jailed for 30 months for two frauds by Recorder John Edwards who told him: "You embarked on a ruthless, callous and cruel exploitation of an elderly man you saw as a soft touch."
"Both you and your sister wormed your way into his life."
Brennan, of Cockshed Lane, Halesowen, who has 27 previous convictions, was remanded on bail while a medical report on her mental health is done.
