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Conman stole £40,000 then claimed he was a quadriplegic | |
(1 day later) | |
A fraudster conned his neighbour out of £40,000 then pretended to be a quadriplegic and in a coma for two years to evade justice. | |
Alan Knight, 47, from Swansea, faked his condition but was caught by police going on shopping trips and holidays. | Alan Knight, 47, from Swansea, faked his condition but was caught by police going on shopping trips and holidays. |
After he was caught, Knight admitted himself to hospital to avoid court hearings on "at least two occasions". | |
But he admitted to theft and forgery at Swansea Crown Court and faces jail when sentenced in November. | |
The court heard that Knight, who claimed to have no movement from the neck down, was caught on CCTV walking around a supermarket and driving his car to Dorset. | The court heard that Knight, who claimed to have no movement from the neck down, was caught on CCTV walking around a supermarket and driving his car to Dorset. |
'Calculated deception' | 'Calculated deception' |
South Wales Police Det Con Paul Harry said: "This is the most calculated, long-term deception of a vulnerable, elderly neighbour I have ever seen. | South Wales Police Det Con Paul Harry said: "This is the most calculated, long-term deception of a vulnerable, elderly neighbour I have ever seen. |
"He had constantly avoided court for two years, costing police, the NHS and the court system thousands of pounds". | "He had constantly avoided court for two years, costing police, the NHS and the court system thousands of pounds". |
Knight was living on benefits after claiming he had suffered a massive neck injury. | Knight was living on benefits after claiming he had suffered a massive neck injury. |
The court heard he claimed his injury had caused him to have seizures which left him in a comatose state. | The court heard he claimed his injury had caused him to have seizures which left him in a comatose state. |
His wife Helen, 33, claimed she had to care for her husband who had snapped his neck after falling backwards as he pulled down a garage door. | His wife Helen, 33, claimed she had to care for her husband who had snapped his neck after falling backwards as he pulled down a garage door. |
But the whole time he was attempting to evade prosecution after carrying out an elaborate fraud targeting neighbour Ivor Richards' life savings and shares over a three-year period. | |
The court heard how he "systematically" funnelled £41,570 out of the pensioner's bank account which he used to pay for holidays and to buy a caravan in Dorset. | The court heard how he "systematically" funnelled £41,570 out of the pensioner's bank account which he used to pay for holidays and to buy a caravan in Dorset. |
Officers tried "at least twice" to bring him court but each time he admitted himself to hospital claiming his condition had worsened. | Officers tried "at least twice" to bring him court but each time he admitted himself to hospital claiming his condition had worsened. |
However, doctors at the hospital spotted him eating, wiping his face and writing. | However, doctors at the hospital spotted him eating, wiping his face and writing. |
He finally appeared in court in a wheel chair and wearing a neck brace to admit the charges. | He finally appeared in court in a wheel chair and wearing a neck brace to admit the charges. |
The court heard it was believed the bank had reimbursed his victim. | The court heard it was believed the bank had reimbursed his victim. |
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