A man has been sentenced to prison after defrauding an elderly couple through a fake will scam. Percival Harris, 59, from Summerheath, Mabe Burnthouse, received a five-and-a-half-year jail term at Truro Crown Court on Thursday.
The court heard that Harris befriended the couple, Kathleen and Desmond Moyle, to gain power of attorney, subsequently defrauding them of £351,481 by forging their wills. He was found guilty by a jury of fraud, forgery, and perverting the course of justice, though he was acquitted of theft and two counts of conspiracy to create a false instrument.
The impact of Harris’s actions was significant, both financially and emotionally, on the relatives who were supposed to benefit from the estate. Detective Constable Isabelle Woodall, the investigating officer, stated that Harris “exploited the most vulnerable in society for his own financial gain.”
“The victims had no children, lived in isolation, and had no way of knowing that the man they believed to be a devoted friend was motivated by greed,” she explained. “After identifying their vulnerabilities and earning their trust, Harris contrived to siphon off their assets, ultimately netting what remained after their deaths, despite existing safeguarding measures intended to protect them.”
The court also mentioned that a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for November.
