Jail for conman who swindled thousands from widow, 72

Over a three-year period Andrew Harding repeatedly took 72-year-old Brenda Nicholls' weekly allowance from her and claimed that some of the cash was being put aside for their 'wedding fund'.

The Hebden Bridge widow, who was under the care of Calderdale Social Services and lived in sheltered accommodation, made regular bus trips to meet up with Harding, but their relationship came to light after her support worker noticed a deterioration in Mrs Nicholls' appearance and living standards.

During a trial last month it was suggested that Harding may have obtained up 15,000 from the pensioner by deception, but that figure was disputed by his barrister and today Judge Alistair McCallum estimated the cash taken amounted to about 7000.

"Whllst some may say that the amount was huge it was the bulk of her income," Judge McCallum told Harding.

"The deception itself was especially cruel. You raised her hopes of romance in her twilight years by pretending that you were going to marry her and you were paying the money that you extracting from her into a wedding fund. It was a complete lie."

Judge McCallum said it was only because Mrs Nicholls' carer noticed the deterioration in her appearance and living standards that the cruel deception was brought to a close.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Mrs Nicholls suffered from a mild learning disability and her level of understanding was below that of a 10-year-old child.

Prosecutor Bronia Hartley said the pensioner needed assistance particularly with her money and was given a weekly allowance initially of 60 to 70 a week by social services.

After her support worker learned of her relationship with Harding he noticed a deterioration in her outward appearance and when he visited her home he found there was no food in her cupboards.

When Mrs Nicholls appeared to be struggling financially her allowance was increased to 100 a week, but she also began to ask for additional lump sums.

In August last year the pensioner was interviewed after the police were contacted and she revealed that she had been travelling by bus to Siddal to meet Harding.

She claimed to have been giving him 50 each Monday and Friday and said Harding told her half of the money was being saved for their wedding.

"She said she knew she had been taken for a ride and wanted her money back," said Miss Hartley.

Following his arrest Harding, of Poplar View, Lightcliffe, said he had only been given up to 30 a week by the pensioner.

He said had no intention of marrying her and only said he would because he felt sorry for her.

Harding, who had no previous convictions and also suffers from learning difficulties, was found guilty following his trial of obtaining the money by deception.

Barrister Gerald Hendron highlighted his client's own limited

intelligence and pointed out that any prison sentence would be a harsh challenge for him.

"Were this a man of normal intellect this would truly be a sinister

and wicked offence," he added.

The prosecution will be seeking a confiscation order against Harding at a later date in the hope of recovering compensation for Mrs Nicholls.