Fraudster who posed as charity worker to scam two vulnerable men out of £18,000 is jailed
A fraudster who posed as a charity worker to con two vulnerable men out of £18,000 has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
William Redmond, 34, from Walton in Liverpool, claimed he was collecting money for Marie Curie cancer charity while targeting his elderly victims.
The case came to light after a bank alerted police to suspicious activity, believing the perpetrator was still on the premises at the time.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Redmond used the stolen money to fund his cocaine addiction.
The conman carried out what Judge Garrett Byrne called a “relentless campaign of dishonesty” against his victims, aged 65 and 72.
Bank staff became suspicious after repeatedly seeing Redmond accompanying his first victim to withdraw cash on Allerton Road.
The 65-year-old victim later revealed: “He was driving me mad. Every time the door went it would be him.”
Redmond pressured the vulnerable man into withdrawing more than £10,000 over the course of a year.
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He would visit the victim multiple times daily, often late at night, forcing him to go to cash machines.
When bank staff alerted police to potential fraud, Redmond attempted to flee but was stopped by a bystander before being arrested.
Shortly after being released from prison in February 2024, Redmond targeted his second victim, a 72-year-old man.
Over the course of a month, he pressured the elderly victim to withdraw more than £8,000 from his bank account.
The second victim later expressed his shame, saying he felt “as if I had become a silly old man.”
Redmond would visit both victims’ homes under the pretence of collecting for charity, demanding cash withdrawals during both day and night.
He was subsequently charged with fraud by false representation in May 2024.
Judge Garrett Byrne condemned Redmond’s actions, telling him: “On any view your behaviour was wicked, manipulative, predatory and callous.”
The judge added: “At no time have you demonstrated any real empathy for your victims.”
Detective Constable Alexandra Lindley said: “Targeting vulnerable people in their own homes and scamming them out of their savings is truly unacceptable.”
She added: “Fraud has a profound impact on victims, not only financially but also emotionally. I hope today’s result gives the community reassurance that he can no longer target vulnerable residents.”
When interviewed by police, Redmond confessed to “rinsing an old fella,” the court heard.
The court imposed indefinite restraining orders to protect both victims from future contact with Redmond.
Prosecutor Simon Christie detailed how Redmond began targeting his first victim in 2022.
The fraudster appeared via video link at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on two counts of fraud by false representation.