A SOUTHAMPTON conman who duped two vulnerable elderly women out almost £300,000 – £50,000 of which he blew at the bookmakers – has been jailed for six years.

Stephen Patrick Floyd, 60, met his victims, a woman who is now 85-years-old from Aldershot and a woman who is now 80-years-old from Park Gate, when he was self-employed and delivered food to them.

Southampton Crown Court heard in both cases, Floyd, of Orpen Road, became heavily involved in his victims’ care when their husbands became ill and died.

He then obtained power of attorney and had them change their wills to make him the main beneficiary.

Floyd used their money for other purposes than the women’s care, including gambling.

Yesterday, he was sentenced to six years in prison after being charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge noted that Floyd was “well aware” of the potential for exploiting one of his victims.

He added Floyd’s claim that he stuffed tens of thousands of pounds into charity tins was “incredible and unbelievable”.

Speaking after the hearing, investigating officer PC Vicky Cobley said: “This has been a particularly complex investigation that has included reviewing more than ten years’ worth of financial records to establish the true extent of Floyd’s fraudulent behaviour.

“Floyd’s actions been particularly distressing for both his victims and their families, due to their age and vulnerability. In both cases Floyd took advantage of women who had recently been bereaved which is utterly contemptible.

“Floyd groomed his victim from Park Gate into trusting him and went on to take out £32,000 of loans and a £20,000 mortgage in her name.

“He then proceeded to remove money from her bank account and continued to siphon off money over the next decade leaving her continuously overdrawn by up to £2,000.

“Our investigation has shown that tens of thousands of pounds were withdrawn by Floyd over that period of time for his own interest.

“Floyd gained power of attorney for his victim from Aldershot and eventually placed her into nursing care and sold her house.

“Approximately £230,000 was removed from her account which was not spent in her best interest. Floyd lost over £50,000 of this money through gambling at bookmakers.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will be investigated thoroughly and that the courts have a very dim view of someone taking advantage of some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”

PC Cobley added that prosecutor Dawn Hyland presented a “very strong case” which was the culmination of a “very complex investigation”.

She added: “Following this result we will continue to work to recover what money we can for Floyd’s victims through the Proceeds of Crime Act.”