Shropshire man sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering

Five men were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after a vulnerable woman paid thousands of pounds for odd jobs and gardening work on her home, which was never carried out.

Shane Warner, aged 23 of Market Drayton, who had pleaded guilty to money laundering was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

The offence happened between 11 September 2013 and 17 January 2014 within the Kington area of Herefordshire, when the men repeatedly contacted the elderly vulnerable victim in her 80s. They told her that she owed them money for work carried out on her home. No work had ever taken place. She was made to meet them at various locations, as well as her home address, where she handed cash to them. In total she paid around £33,000.

A police investigation was launched and five men were arrested and charged in connection to the investigation. They appeared at Worcester Crown Court at earlier hearings where they entered guilty pleas to various charges.

Detective Sergeant Kirsty Smith of West Mercia Police said: "It is shameful that these men picked on a vulnerable member of our society and we are pleased that they have been put brought to justice. We are pleased that the courts also saw fit to issue these criminals with Criminal Behaviour Orders which we believe will further help protect our community."

At court yesterday all five men were issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order, which will last for seven years.