CUDDINGTON man David Griffiths has been jailed for 30 months for deceiving an elderly woman out of £20,000.

Griffiths, 35, of Blake Lane, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of fraud by false representation.

“In May 2015 relatives of a Sandiway resident contacted Cheshire Police to express concerns about money going missing from the victim’s bank account,” said a Cheshire Police spokesman.

“Officers attended the address, and after examining the victim’s bank statements it was found that approximately £20,000 had been withdrawn from her bank account over a six-month period, which the victim had no record of.

“Following investigations officers discovered that the victim had given her bank card to her ‘friend’, David Griffiths, 35, after he offered to look after her bank account and help with her shopping as she was getting unsteady on her feet.

“After making the discovery officers arrested Griffiths, of Blake Lane, Cuddington, in relation to the case, and following questioning he was charged with two counts of fraud by false representation and theft in a dwelling.”

On Wednesday, September 21, Griffiths appeared at Chester Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of fraud by false representation.

Griffiths pleaded not guilty to a second count fraud by false representation and a count of theft. Both will remain on file.

Following the sentencing investigation Officer Owain Hughes said: “The victim in this case was extremely vulnerable, and Griffiths preyed on her for his own personal gain.

“He pretended to be her friend and after gaining her trust he then committed this appalling act.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this case, and I hope that the sentence handed to Griffiths will help bring some form of closure for the victim and her family.”