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OAP conned out of thousands gets money back

8/ 8/2008

A ROCHDALE man who pleaded guilty to conning a 91-year-old woman out her life savings has seen his victim fully compensated for the crime.

Twenty-two-year-old Patrick John Joseph Ward, of Buxton Crescent, Turfhill, pleaded guilty to money laundering in December last year after a £2,250 cheque from the victim's account had been paid into his own.

Four people were convicted after the victim was cheated out of more than £165,000 after allowing rogue workmen to tarmac and pave her gardens at her home in South Manchester at the end of 2005.

This week the victim received a final payment from a GMP operation to recover her money.

After the trial ended in December 2007, Greater Manchester Police's Financial Investigations Unit started an investigation which resulted in £408,000 being seized from the defendants under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The victim has received £192,000 of this money.

Detective Sergeant Carl Jones, who has worked on this case since it started in April 2006 said: "While we were satisfied that people were brought to account for their greedy deception, the real loser here was the vulnerable victim, who had been stripped of money she spent all her life saving up.

"People often forget one of the most traditional duties of a police officer - we do not stop when thieves have been convicted; the job is only done when victims get back what is rightfully theirs.

"It is greatly satisfying for me and the team that our hard work has paid off for such a deserving person.

"The victim in this case has always acted in good grace and with patience. She reached the point where she accepted her loss when it would have been understandable to bear a grudge.

"She has had the opportunity to speak at will about those who conned her, but has kept a dignified silence throughout."

The victim's cousin, who supported her through this difficult time said: "We are grateful for the care, consideration and thoughtfulness that we experienced during the investigation and subsequent trial and conviction of these embezzlers.

"There was unexpected relief at the very good news that all of the money embezzled, plus interest, was to be repaid."

Pub landlord Trevor Chandler, 47, of The Apple Tree, West Green Lane, Crawley, Sussex was found guilty of money laundering after cashing £25,000 of the victim's money.

Josephine Doherty, 64, of Linehouses Caravan Site, Linehouse, Stoke-on-Trent, was also found guilty of laundering £58,000 of the money that she claimed was a payment for a Porsche that her son had sold in December 2005.

And Bridget Quinn/McCann ,30, from High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent was found guilty of money laundering.

Detectives are still continuing to trace three men in connection with this incident.

The first man is called Patrick McDonagh, aged 36.  He has also used the name Paul Anthony Kelly. He has known connections with the Rugby area in Warwickshire, however it is possible he could be anywhere in the country.  It is also believed he had a house in the Levenshulme area of Manchester. McDonagh is described as white, with thick short brown hair.

He is 5ft 9ins tall and of medium-stocky build. He speaks with an Irish accent. The second man is Kevin Charles Laney, 47. His last known address is St Leonard's Crescent in St Albans, Hertfordshire and it is believed he lived there several years ago. He is described as having brown sandy coloured receding hair and a southern accent.

The identity of a man who made a number of telephone calls to the victim during this incident is still being sought.  He went by the name of David, but could be using a false name.  It is thought he may live in the Lancashire area.

All three are believed to have links with the travelling community and could be living or working anywhere across the country. In particular it is thought the men could be in the Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire or Cleveland areas.

The men may be together or separate.

Anyone who knows of any of the men's whereabouts is asked to contact South Manchester CID on 0161 856 4845 or 856 4852. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.