A WOMAN has been jailed after stealing more than £100,000 from a vulnerable man in Slough, it was said in court.

Helen Keogh, aged 40 of Grange Avenue, Coventry, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft at Reading Crown Court on July 8.

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Keogh first met the victim in early 2014 when she was 34 and he was aged in his sixties.

Keogh realised the victim was both vulnerable and desperate for companionship, Thames Valley Police have said.

She used this to manipulate the victim into giving her money and buying things for her.

Between September 6, 2014 and June 17, 2015, Keogh told the victim a range of stories relating to her ill health, her father’s ill health, the suggestion she was a victim of domestic violence and the need to put a deposit on a house in order to be safe to extract money and gifts from him.

These included £30,000 that Keogh claimed would be an investment in her business, £40,030 purported to be for a deposit on a house, £39,400 used to purchase a camper van and £4,000 purported to be for the purchase of a holiday home.

Slough Observer:

The police were periodically involved when others made reports.

Investigations were launched and Keogh was repeatedly arrested and interviewed about the money she was extracting from the victim.

Due to the victim’s vulnerability and Keogh’s influence, the victim told police he gave Keogh gifts and money freely, even when he appeared confused about the exact purpose the money was for.

It was ultimately only when the victim’s savings had been completely depleted and family members were granted a power of attorney over the victim’s financial affairs, that Keogh was prevented from extracting further money from him.

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Keogh was charged on 20 September 2019 and was sentenced after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Zoe Batten of the CID team based at Slough police station said: “The victim in this case was extremely vulnerable, trusting and seeking companionship.

“Helen Keogh identified the victim’s vulnerabilities and exploited them for her own financial gain with no regard for the victim.

“Keogh stole money and gained items to the value of £115,609.

“This was money left to the victim by his deceased parents to ensure that he could live independently. His parents had always been actively involved in helping him with his vulnerabilities while they were alive.

“This is truly a shocking case where, despite knowing the victim’s vulnerabilities, Helen Keogh went out of her way to befriend and manipulate the victim for her own personal greed.

“It should be noted that due to the courage and hard work of the victim’s family, he has been safeguarded and Helen Keogh brought to justice.”