Rochdale man helps con 91-year old woman

A man from Rochdale, who was found guilty of money laundering as part of a gang of conmen who cheated a 91-year old woman out of more than £165,000, has this week seen his victim fully recompensed for the crimes committed against her.

Patrick John Joseph Ward, 22, of Buxton Crescent in Turfhill pleaded guilty to money laundering in December last year after a £2,250 cheque from the victim's account had been paid into his own.

Ward acted as a rogue workman alongside two men from Stoke-On-Trent and one from Crawley, Sussex, who have all been found guilty of money laundering.

The woman, who was conned out her life savings, has this week received a final payment from a Greater Manchester Police operation to recover her money.

The victim was cheated out of more than £165,000 after allowing Ward and his fellow rogue workmen to tarmac and pave her gardens at her home in South Manchester at the end of 2005.

After the trial ended in December 2007, Greater Manchester Police's Financial Investigations Unit started an investigation, which resulted in £408,000 being seized from the defendants under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The victim has received £192,000 of this money.

Detective Sergeant Carl Jones, who has worked on this case since it started in April 2006 said: "While we were satisfied that people were brought to account for their greedy deception, the real loser here was the vulnerable victim, who had been stripped of money she spent all her life saving up.

"People often forget one of the most traditional duties of a police officer - we do not stop when thieves have been convicted; the job is only done when victims get back what is rightfully theirs.

"It is greatly satisfying for me and the team that our hard work has paid off for such a deserving person.

"The victim in this case has always acted in good grace and with patience. She reached the point where she accepted her loss when it would have been understandable to bear a grudge.

"She has had the opportunity to speak at will about those who conned her, but has kept a dignified silence throughout."

The victim's cousin, who supported her through this difficult time said: "We are grateful for the care, consideration and thoughtfulness that we experienced during the investigation and subsequent trial and conviction of these embezzlers.

"There was unexpected relief at the very good news that all of the money embezzled, plus interest, was to be repaid."

Detectives are still continuing to trace three men in connection with this incident.