A PREDATORY fraudster who tricked his way into the home of a 98-year-old Widnes woman and stole cash from her has been jailed.

Paul Harden, aged 47, of Hammond Street, St Helens, was sentenced to 22 months in prison for breaching an indefinite anti-social behavioural order given to him in 2012.

He was also found guilty of four counts of fraud and two burglaries.

He offered to do some gardening for the elderly lady in the Appleton area and stole cash from her.

Det Sgt Ian Alldred of Widnes Pro-Active CID, said" Harden has a long history of committing fraud offences targeting the elderly and vulnerable and has used a variety of different methods to get money including selling raffle tickets for draws that don’t exist and taking money for jobs up front with no intention of starting them.

"This man has targeted some of the most vulnerable people in our society, preying on their trust and generosity and using distraction to enter their homes and steal money.

“His victims have included elderly women aged 83 and 98.

“Harden deceived both women into thinking he would do gardening jobs for them and then used their trust to get cash from them with no intention of doing any work.”

Harden was jailed at Chester Crown Court on November 10.

He was given an indefinite ASBO on August 10, 2012 banning him from canvassing for any business work or proposed charity collection door to door or causing harassment, alarm or distress to members of the community in England and Wales. He received this after being sentenced to 20 months for two counts of theft and fraud at Liverpool Crown Court on 10 July 2012.

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