“It was heartless”- Eccles couple sentenced in £100,000 pensioner scam

A “heartless” Eccles couple have been sentenced after cheating their vulnerable 76-year-old neighbour out of over £100,000 in just two years.

Lee Hodson, 36, and his partner Jennifer Picken, 31, from Eccles, were arrested in 2021, following suspicious flagged activity on their 76-year-old victim’s bank account which involved a £230,742.19 withdrawal.

The couple were released on bail, continuing to offend while an investigation continued.

A Greater Manchester Police investigation revealed how Hodson was able to fraud his way into being named on the victim’s financial accounts, creating online access whilst posing as the victim.

Hodson successfully impersonated the victim, setting up online accounts using his own contact details and using Picken’s bank account to launder money after updating the details online.

Hodson stole confidential post, personal paperwork and the victim’s private information such as date of birth, phone numbers, previous addresses, occupations and his National Insurance number in order to pass online security checks.

Detective Inspector Tim Flint, who leads a team of fraud detectives in GMP’s Economic Crime Team, described the fraud as ‘well-planned’ and ‘targeted’, adding: “It was heartless, and they preyed on him because of his age.

“Their despicable actions have had a devastating impact on the victim, who has now sadly passed away, and now his surviving relatives have had to endure a trial,” he added.

Hodosn also updated the victim’s pensions and state benefits so that they would be paid directly into his own account without flagging bank security.

Detective Inspector Flint urges anyone who has an elderly relative to make them ‘aware’ of this type of fraud.

Lee Hodson received a 5 year and 4 months jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering, escaping lawful custody, impersonating a police officer and burglary offences, whilst Jennifer Picken was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

She has also received 150 hours of community service.

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website here. 

Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.