Patrick William John White, 26, has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding an 85-year-old widow in Thirsk.
The court heard that White and his accomplices persuaded the recently widowed woman to go on a 45-minute round trip to her bank to withdraw £1,500, leaving them alone in her home. They falsely claimed they were working on a neighbour’s roof and that her roof required urgent repairs. No work was ever carried out.
Judge Simon Hickey described the crime as “one of the lowest crimes you can commit” and noted that White had shown no remorse. Police were ordered to seize White’s van and sell it to compensate the victim for her loss.
The widow said in a personal statement that White had destroyed her trust in people, left her unable to sleep properly, and made her feel unsafe in her own home.
White, of a Middlesbrough caravan site, had denied fraud but was convicted by a jury following the victim’s testimony, which she said was both frightening and humiliating.
Det Sgt Quita Readman of North Yorkshire Police praised the bravery of the victim and another witness, saying their support was crucial in securing the conviction.
Prosecutor Ben Sayers added that the defendants specifically targeted an area with several elderly residents. They demanded cash only and attempted to create the appearance of legitimate work, but police intervened before any further harm was done.
White’s defence highlighted that he had been remanded in custody since his trial in November and suffered from anxiety and depression for which he was receiving medication.
