Conman jailed for targeting Sevenoaks elderly
The pensioners bank accounts were scammed during a month long spree last October
A conman who "callously" tricked Sevenoaks' elderly into handing over bank cards and personal details has been jailed.
Fraudster Mark Leacock, 52, was part of an organised crime gang who stole thousands of pounds from at least five vulnerable and elderly pensioners after they received calls from a person claiming to be from the bank.
The victims, all in their 70s and 80s, were told their banks cards had been compromised and needed to be urgently replaced.
Leacock, of Starling Close, Croydon, pleaded guilty last Tuesday (March 16) to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to two years and nine months behind bars.
Speaking afterwards detective constable Mark Newman said: "Leacock was part of an organised crime group which repeatedly and callously targeted vulnerable and elderly people, to steal thousands of pounds.
"Crimes like this can often have a devastating effect on victims. As well as the financial loss, they are often left emotionally scarred and can lose confidence and the ability to trust and socialise with other people."
Maidstone Crown Court heard how Leacock scammed the pensioners between October and November last year persuading them to hand over their bank cards and details to a courier who would pick them up from their home addresses.
The cards were then used to withdraw cash and make fraudulent purchases.
An investigation by Kent and Essex's serious crime directorate led them to arrest Leacock on the A21 near Pratt's Bottom in November last year.
In the car, driven by Leacock, were the details of one of the pensioners and a phone text which was linked to the fraud on his account.
Two passengers in the car were also arrested but no charges were made. Three further fraud related charges against Leacock were ordered by the court to lie on file.
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