Fraudster stole £64k from his own grandfather
Northumbria PoliceAn "evil" fraudster who stole £64,000 from his own grieving grandfather has been jailed for two and a half years.
Aidan Frier, 26 and from South Shields, repeatedly lied about having a job and needing money for education courses over three and a half years, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
His grandfather, who lost his wife shortly before the fraud began in 2021, said he was "ruined" with his live savings gone and him having to pay back a £4,000 loan Frier had persuaded him to take out.
Frier, who fabricated photographs of himself pretending to be at work and created fake bank emails, admitted fraud by false representation.
'No reason to doubt'
In January 2021, Frier told his family he had started work under a scholarship scheme and needed money for training courses, tuition fees and accommodation costs, prosecutor Gurjot Kaur said.
He took pictures of himself pretending to be working out at sea using equipment he took from a friend, the court heard.
His grandfather, whose wife died in 2020, agreed "without hesitation" to send money and had "no reason to doubt" his grandson's claims he would be repaid once Frier was qualified, the court was told.
Frier, of Fowler Street, took "further advantage" of his grandfather's trust by manipulating him into taking out a £4,000 bank loan, with the money then immediately transferred to the fraudster's account, Ms Kaur said.
The offending came to light in August 2024 when Frier's grandfather went into a local branch of his bank to say his grandson had asked for a further £12,000, with staff quickly recognising the emails he was showing them were scams, the court heard.
In total, Frier fraudulently obtained £64,414 from his grandfather.
'Never trust him again'
In statements read to the court, Frier's grandfather said he had worked hard for 49 years to build up his savings and enjoy a comfortable and "peaceful" retirement, but his grandson had taken that all away with his "evil" scheme and "betrayal".
The victim said finding out his grandson had been stealing from him was "more heartbreaking" than losing his wife, adding he felt a "terrible pain of rejection and loss".
"I am emotionally ruined," the man said, adding: "I will never get over this, I can never trust him again."
The court heard he still having to pay off the £4,000 loan at a rate of £360 a month.
In mitigation, Peter Sabiston said Frier accepted his conduct was "shameful" and he was now "completely isolated" from his own family, which was "his own fault".
Recorder Christopher Knox said Frier's crime was "mean, nasty and cynical", with the fraud conducted in an elaborate, "startling and outrageous way".
"You used the money to live a life you didn't deserve," the judge said.
"You owe money to everybody. You will never be able to enjoy the respect and affection of your family because of the cloud you have brought upon yourself."
A restraining order banning Frier from contacting his grandfather was also made.