A couple in Eccles who duped their elderly and vulnerable neighbour out of over £100,000 over the course of two years have been jailed
Lee Hodson aged 37 and Jennifer Picken aged 32 conspired to rob their 76 year old neighbour
Hodson was able to dupe and deceive his way into being named on the victim’s financial accounts by creating online access whilst posing as the victim.
He did this by stealing confidential post, personal paperwork and the victim’s private information such as date of birth, phone numbers, previous addresses, occupations and his N.I number in order to pass online security checks.
Hodson successfully impersonated the victim and setup online accounts using his own contact details and then proceeded to use his girlfriend’s bank account to launder the money after updating the details online.
Hodson also updated the victim’s pensions and state benefits so that they would be paid directly into his own account without flagging bank security.
The key amount that flagged suspicion to the victim’s bank and which lead to this investigation was £230,742.39 withdrawn from the victim’s account to Picken’s bank account in June 2021.
The money was withdrawn, spent and dispersed across multiple accounts and family members.
Hodson was charged with multiple offences including fraud, burglary, escape from lawful custody, assault with intent to resist arrest and money laundering and has been remanded in custody. Picken was also charged with fraud and money laundering offences after she allowed her bank account to be used to move the fund from the victim’s account.
Hodson from Eccles received a 5 year and 4 months jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering, escaping lawful custody, impersonating a police officer and burglary offences.
Jennifer Picken from Eccles was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment but suspended for two years. She also received 150 hours of community service.
