Jail for Wiltshire man who coerced grandparents out of nearly £400k
He claimed the money will go towards cars, medication and even cancer treatment
A Wiltshire man who manipulated his grandparents into handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds to him has been jailed.
Daniel Tilden coerced the 79 and 81-year-old victims into handing him more than £384,000 over the course of a decade.
Wiltshire Police said the 31-year-old, of no fixed address, regularly lied to the couple, claiming the money was for a new car or for prescriptions, and on one occasion claiming it was for private cancer treatment.
At first, he took his vulnerable grandfather to a bank to withdraw thousands of pounds at a time.
When this was stopped by the bank, he began coercing his grandfather to obtain cashback at local supermarkets, before then asking his grandfather to meet him at cashpoints to make withdrawals.
Tilden was arrested in November last year and bailed while enquiries continued, repeatedly breaking conditions requiring him not to visit his grandparents.
He was then re-arrested and charged with controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act having manipulated his grandparents into giving him a total of £384,077.
Appearing at Swindon Crown Court last Wednesday (April 24th), Tilden was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment.
He was also fined and given a 10-year restraining order.
In a victim impact statement, his grandfather said he was scared to say no to Tilden, describing his home life as like being ‘under siege’ due to the constant visits.
PC Sarah Hardwidge, based in Devizes, said:
"This was a complex investigation which the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team worked on for three years.
"It was through partnership working with medical professionals, adult social care, banks and local shops that we were able to gather the evidence required and safeguard the victims.
"Daniel’s offending behaviour towards his grandparents was appalling. He took advantage of their good nature and has caused them lasting distress in their own home.
"We would also like to thank the CPS and the courts for recognising the seriousness of this crime which is reflected in the sentence given.
"We’re extremely pleased and relieved at the outcome as it has brought peace to the victims and protected them from further abuse."