A CONFIDENCE trickster defrauded a “vulnerable” woman of her savings and when he drained her funds began to take her mother’s money, a court heard.

John Thompson, 38, claimed he came across the victim while cleaning windows in the Ferryhill area, but the prosecution believes he “targeted” her due to her vulnerability.

Durham Crown Court heard that although on benefits, the victim lived a frugal lifestyle and had thousands of pounds in her bank account.

Ian West, prosecuting, said Thompson began asking to borrow small sums, each time offering excuses why he could not repay the money.

But as he grew more confident his demands became greater.

The fraud, began in September 2018 but by the end, in May 2020, he was asking for five-figure sums over a calendar month.

Once his victim’s account was emptied she would ask for the money Thompson was seeking from her mother, who was in her 80s, and who has since died.

Mr West said over 20 months Thompson fleeced the pair of £38,419.

Staff at the victim’s supermarket became suspicious as she would buy a relatively low-priced item of confectionery and ask for £50 cash back, transactions they eventually refused.

On arrest, Thompson claimed the money was given voluntarily as he was in, “some sort of relationship” with the victim, but at court the defendant, of Kitchener Terrace, Ferryhill, admitted fraud.

An impact statement by the victim’s sister outlined the effect on her family, particularly her mother who became distressed, agitated and angry, causing a deterioration in her health prior to her death.

The court heard Thompson has 22 convictions for 56 offences on his record, including three domestic burglaries in Ferryhill, for which he was jailed for three years, in January, after the fraud was committed.

Jonathan Walker, mitigating, said, aged 38, Thompson, “really ought to be coming to the end of his criminal career,” and wanted to apologise.

Imposing a 29-month sentence, which will only start at the mid-point of Thompson’s three-year sentence, Judge Ray Singh described him as, “a confidence trickster and a fraudster, having already been a prolific burglar and thief.”

An indefinite restraining order prohibits Thompson from contacting or approaching his victim.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054