Man jailed for defrauding elderly - Berkshire

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for three years for fraud offences across Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Sonny McClean, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on Friday (12/7) at Aylesbury Crown Court.

McClean pled guilty to nine counts of fraud by false representation during an appearance at the same court on 2 February.

He was also disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Between 13 May, 2020, and 9 July, 2020, McClean defrauded nine people between the ages of 67 and 91 of more than £15,500 whilst posing as a courier from the victims’ banks.

Each victim received a call from an individual claiming to be from their bank and informing them their bank card had been compromised or was due to expire.

Falsely offering to resolve the issue, they were told a courier would deliver a new bank card as well as retrieving and destroying their current one.

On one occasion, after the victim questioned McClean’s identify, they were pushed and robbed of their bank card.

Investigating Officer DC Karen Symons, based at Newbury Police Station, said: “This was an appalling crime, targeting vulnerable people at the height of the pandemic when many were fearful of leaving their homes.

“Concealing his identity by wearing a face mask, McClean posed as a courier and claimed to be replacing the victims’ bank cards and helping them avoid having to leave their home. Using personal details to support his deception, McClean was able to make numerous withdrawals and rob vulnerable people of their finances.

“I would like to thank the victims and their families in this case who have bravely contributed and supported our efforts to bring them justice.

“We’re aware that incidents like fraud can have a huge impact on individuals, often causing victim’s to feel embarrassed. I would like to reassure anyone affected by fraud to report these issues without fear of judgement, but rather you can be confident that we will do our utmost to secure justice.”

CO