Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Fraudster who conned woman, 67, out of £2k may spend Christmas in prison


A fraudster who conned a 67-year-old woman over renovation work at her home could face being in prison over the festive period.


Gary Alexander resigned himself to a jail term after he pleaded guilty to a £2,000 fraud at Teesside Crown Court.


The 48-year-old has now been locked up until he learns his fate just before Christmas.


He admitted making a false representation to a 67-year-old woman that he would complete renovation work to her Billingham home between April 15 and 19.


He came to court, on bail, to learn his sentence today, but no pre-sentence report had been prepared.


Jim Withyman, defending, said Alexander went to a Probation Service office about the report.


“He said, ‘I know I’m going to prison, I don’t wish to waste your time,’” explained Mr Withyman.


Judge Michael Taylor responded: “I’d like a pre-sentence report because this sort of offending is unpleasant and I want to see what he has to say about it when challenged by a probation officer in the normal way.


“Given the context of his record to date, that sort of information is a valuable sentencing tool.”


He told Alexander: “You know you’re going to prison but I want to see what you’ve got to say about it and I want to see more information about your background.”


He remanded Alexander, of Martinet Court, Thornaby, in custody for two weeks until sentencing on December 22.



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