Thief and forger swindled old man

AN Oldham man who forged the will of an 81-year-old west Cumbrian pensioner and also stole £7,000 from him — has been jailed for a year.

Dean Benson (44), stole the money from Reginald Dockery, after marrying into a Workington family who were friends with him.

Benson, of Thistle Way, Oldham, admitted his guilt last year, but only after a jury had been sworn in to hear his trial.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery and two of theft, of £5,000 and £2,287.

Prosecutor Steve McNally said: “The first theft was £5,000 back in 2005.

“When Mr Dockery first met Benson he said he was helpful and pleasant and would take him shopping and to Manchester to stay with his relatives. He sought to establish a relationship of trust with Mr Dockery.

“The police showed Mr Dockery a copy of a will which he had supposedly signed but he said he had never made a will and it was not his signature on it.

“Mr Dockery never signed such a document and Benson did it to gain financially.”

The court was told that on one occasion Benson told Mr Dockery he had a safe and would look after his money for him. But instead, he put the money in a bank account in his daughter’s name and a week later transferred the cash out of it to pay off his bad business debts. And on another occasion he wrote to the Prudential and informed them that he was Mr Dockery’s grandson and that he was looking after his financial affairs and that any cheques should be made out to him — Dean Benson.

Judge Paul Batty QC said: “This was a serious fraud with aggravating features.

“The principal victim of dishonesty was an elderly man in his 80s who befriended and trusted you.

“Just as bad is the forging of his last will and testament using yourself, your wife, your friends and family as beneficiaries.”

As Benson was led away by security officials he said: “Love you mum.”