Eight people have been sentenced after a fraud plot that targeted five pensioners across England, netting around £97,000 in just three months. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and related money-laundering offences.
The court heard how two rival groups of fraudsters even fought over access to the same vulnerable victim. Messages recovered from their phones showed Michael Doran and Jerry Connors arguing over who had the right to keep scamming the man as his money ran out.
Rochdale pensioner among those conned
One victim, a 77-year-old woman from Rochdale, was pressured into handing over cash, making bank transfers and signing cheques worth a total of £7,800. She was forced to dip into her savings to pay for roof repairs that were never carried out. The money was laundered through the bank accounts of Terri-Lee Readman and Lynn Strange.
Rolex-funded spending spree
Another vulnerable man in Ellesmere Port was persuaded to write cheques worth £34,500 for roof repair work that was never completed. Jerry Connors arranged for Rebecca Field to pay the cheques into her account, taking a cut for herself and using the rest to buy Rolex watches for Connors.
At around the same time, Doran and Bayley, acting separately, approached the same victim and obtained further cheques. They regularly took him to local ATMs to withdraw cash, and Doran used the victim's bank card to buy meals and groceries. In total, Doran and Bayley stole £33,150 from him.
Several of the cheques were paid into Readman's account and then transferred back to Doran and Bayley. Doran also used Bradley Carroll to cash cheques, which were later transferred into the bank accounts of Lynn and Jessica Strange, who withdrew the cash.
Further victims identified
The fraud only came to light in late September 2023, when the victim's direct debits began to bounce because of a lack of funds. He turned to a friend for help, who quickly informed Cheshire Police. Further enquiries identified four more victims.
- An elderly man from Ellesmere Port handed over £5,000 to Doran and Bayley, which was paid into Readman's account. He was also taken to his bank on two occasions to withdraw cash totalling £2,800.
- An elderly woman from Coventry had two signed blank cheques taken by Doran in September 2023. The cheques were written out for a total of £13,000 and paid into Readman's account.
- An elderly woman from Corby, Northamptonshire, had unnecessary roof repairs carried out to a poor standard in September 2023. Doran obtained a £2,000 cheque for the work, which Bayley paid into Readman's account.
Sadly, two of the elderly victims pursued by the group have since died and never saw justice served.
'Despicable behaviour'
Detective Constable Rob Mackay, of Ellesmere Port CID, said: "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, and I welcome the sentences handed to the defendants who have now been held accountable for their despicable behaviour. They purposefully targeted vulnerable and elderly victims, stealing their hard-earned cash for their own benefit. They even drained the bank account of one of their victims dry, leaving him struggling to keep up direct debit payments while they plotted over who they could target next. Sadly, two of the elderly victims pursued by this group have since died and never got to see justice served. I hope the conclusion of this court process today will at least provide some comfort to their loved ones, knowing that these fraudsters have now had to answer for their crimes. I hope this case serves as a reminder to people to report any similar offences if they believe they have fallen victim to fraud. You can report information online or by calling 101."
Sentences handed down
The defendants appeared at Chester Crown Court between 27 and 28 July 2026. The following sentences were imposed:
- Michael Doran, 34, of Mayfield Gardens, Neston: 55 months for five counts of conspiracy to defraud.
- Liam Bayley, 29, of Romaine Park, Hartlepool: 43 months for five counts of conspiracy to defraud.
- Terri-Lee Readman, 26, of Romaine Park, Hartlepool: two years suspended for two years for five counts of conspiracy to defraud.
- Bradley Carroll, 41, of Cromwell Road, Ellesmere Port: nine months suspended for 18 months for two counts of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
- Lynn Strange, 52, of Foxhill Close, Liverpool: six months suspended for 12 months for two counts of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
- Jessica Strange, 30, of Chatterton Road, Liverpool: three months suspended for 12 months for two counts of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
- Jerry Connors, 19, of Layhams Road, Keston: 15 months suspended for two years for one count of conspiracy to defraud.
- Rebecca Field, 46, of Monkton Street, Eamsgate: 10 months suspended for 18 months for one count of transferring criminal property.
