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A man who conned a Manchester pensioner with dementia into selling her home for a fraction of its market value has been handed a prison sentence.
Police and HMRC seized more than £100,000 from Brian Tomney - who is said to have made £291,594 from his criminality - based on available assets.
Tomney, from Keston Showman's Park in Kent, was convicted of money laundering by converting criminal property, and fraud by false representation following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
The 30-year-old will serve four years in prison for the offences, along with one consecutive year for other crimes. He was also ordered to sign the house back over to his victim.
Tomney bought the house on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw for £17,000 in November 2008 from a woman in her 80s with a history of mental illness.
The estimated value of the property was between £60,000 and £65,000.
A subsequent police investigation brought to light Tomney's other illegitimate activities. He now has 56 days to pay the outstanding amount of a of £121,541.98 confiscation order or face a further two years behind bars.
Financial Investigator, Keith Graham, said: "Tomney thought nothing of deliberately and maliciously taking advantage of a vulnerable, elderly woman.
“We discovered a vast amount of cash that he had stashed away; cash that we believe had been made from criminal endeavours.
“The court has agreed with is and has ruled that Tomney will not get that money back.
“We will pursue those who benefit from crime and ensure that not only are they criminally investigated, but that any assets they gain through illegal enterprises are taken from them.”
