A Wiltshire man lied about cancer treatment to con his grandparents out of £384,000.
Over the course of a decade, Daniel Tilden, 31, of no fixed abode, manipulated his vulnerable victims into handing over a signifiant amount of money.
From 2013, the defendant began frequently visiting his grandparents, aged 79 and 81, in their home – lying to them to coerce them to hand over funds.
Tilden told them he needed the cash was to pay for a new car or for prescriptions, and on one occasion claimed it was for private cancer treatment.
At first, he took his vulnerable grandfather to a bank to withdraw thousands of pounds at a time.
When this was stopped by the bank, he began coercing his grandfather to obtain cash back at local supermarkets, before then asking his grandfather to meet him at cashpoints to make withdrawals.
Tilden, from Devizes, was arrested in November last year and bailed while enquiries continued, repeatedly breaking conditions requiring him not to visit his grandparents.
He was then re-arrested and charged with controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, having manipulated his grandparents into giving him a total of £384,077.
At Swindon Crown Court on 24 April, Tilden was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment. He was also given a 10-year restraining order.
In a victim impact statement, his grandfather said he was scared to say no to Tilden, describing his home life as like being ‘under siege’ due to the constant visits.
PC Sarah Hardwidge said: “This was a complex investigation which the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team worked on for three years.
“It was through partnership working with medical professionals, adult social care, banks and local shops that we were able to gather the evidence required and safeguard the victims.
“Daniel’s offending behaviour towards his grandparents was appalling. He took advantage of their good nature and has caused them lasting distress in their own home.
“We would also like to thank the CPS and the courts for recognising the seriousness of this crime which is reflected in the sentence given.
“We’re extremely pleased and relieved at the outcome as it has brought peace to the victims and protected them from further abuse.”
