Wiltshire man who forged deal with PSG to scam in-laws jailed
Edward Blackmore will spend more than six years behind bars
A Wiltshire man who scammed his in-laws out of almost two million pounds has been jailed for six years.
In August 2018, Edward Blackmore, 45, of Holt, claimed his sports investment company had secured a deal with a top French football club in order to secure a £1.8m pound loan from his in-laws.
He'd forged the stamp and lawyer's signature to make the deal believable. Blackmore assured his in-laws the loan would be repaid 'shortly'.
He then used the same fake deal to land a £1.68m bridging loan with a finance company, using the loans to buy Beechwood House in Bath, a Grade II-listed home.
But over the next 18 months, Blackmore repeatedly defaulted on the loan from his in-laws, using various lies in an attempt to stall repayment.
He claimed claiming the money from PSG had been paid into the wrong account, and that the bank had frozen the payment.
He also defaulted on the loan with the finance company after paying back just £76,000 in three monthly payments.
The company appoint receivers, which led to Blackmore, his wife and their young children to be evicted from the house, which was sold to settle the debt with the finance company.
Blackmore's in-laws have not been repaid, who reported him to Action Fraud, with the case then referred to the Complex Fraud Team at Wiltshire Police.
He was later charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation: two relating to fraudulent claims against his in-laws and one against the finance company.
Retirement plans in ruins
Blackmore's mother-in-law said the deception has had a 'profound' impact on the family and that they're struggling to comprehend the 'utter betrayal', having embraced Mr Blackmore into their family.
She described him as a 'grandiose narcissist', adding her trust is 'broken'.
She said Blackmore's actions had wrecked the plans she and her husband had during retirement.
“My husband has worked hard his entire working life and we had plans for our retirement. We had dreams of ‘our time’ – travelling the world together, treating our children and grandchildren, and making memories. Mr Blackmore has denied us of this.
“Mr Blackmore’s total lack of remorse, respect, explanation or apology is simply incomprehensible to us, and totally unacceptable.
“He has left a trail of destruction, and we are the ones now having to pick our way through the mess.”
Children's future 'stolen'
Blackmore's wife, who has filed for divorce said the betrayal has 'shattered her life'.
"Before I got married, I had two properties of my own, I had savings, and I was financially stable. Today, I am a single mum working full time, living in rented accommodation, with no savings, trying to make ends meet.
“My mum and dad's peaceful retirement has been stolen from them.
“His impact extends far beyond me. My children have been silent victims. Their home was taken away from them.
“The future I had planned for my children has been stolen. However, I will work hard to rebuild and restore everything he has destroyed.”
DC Rachael Fairbairn of the Complex Fraud Team said: “Blackmore betrayed not just his wife and his children but his wider family too, depriving them of financial freedom.
“As with so many complex frauds, the lies from Blackmore were seemingly endless, well beyond the securing of the very substantial loans from his in-laws and the finance company.
“His actions have taken a significant toll on the victims. I hope today’s sentence can bring a sense of closure for them and they can start to rebuild their lives.”
Confiscation proceedings will now commence under the Proceeds of Crime Act in an attempt to secure compensation.