Conman jailed after stealing life savings (From Thisisdorset)

7:00am Wednesday 14th May 2008

A 61-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for three years after conning a woman he befriended out of £91,000.

Richard Wesley, of Albert Road, Corfe Mullen, deceived Mary Manning by claiming he needed money to help fund a car business.

Over a period of 11 months he slowly encouraged Mrs Manning to hand over her life savings in the belief the money would be repaid.

Wesley, who describes himself as a Walter Mitty-type of character, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining property by deception.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Crown Court that Mrs Manning met Wesley in January 2002 after answering a lonely-hearts advert.

After a few months Wesley told divorced Mrs Manning he was from Sheffield and involved in the car trade and needed money for a business opportunity.

She first gave him £1,400 and then a further £7,000.

During 2002 she handed over various sums of money, including £20,000 in June, and also gave Wesley access to her bank account.

He applied for various credit cards in her name and borrowed £28,800 to repay a debt.

Mr Ellacott said: "Mrs Manning, who now admits being somewhat naive, felt she could trust Mr Wesley and was sure she would be repaid."

The retired acting head teacher was said to be happy with Wesley taking control of her finances.

Mr Ellacott added: "By July 2003 Mrs Manning's current account was regularly going into debt.

"She wasn't fully aware of the amount."

Wesley took a total of £91,564.

It wasn't until 2006, when Mrs Manning heard from another of Wesley's victims, that they went to the police.

The judge was told that Wesley has previous convictions for similar offences involving elderly victims and had served time in prison.

Judge Samuel Wiggs said: "If ever the description conman applied to anybody, it is to you." He sentenced him to a total of three years in prison.

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