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A fraudster conned his neighbour out of £40,000
then pretended to be a quadriplegic and in a coma
for two years to evade justice.
Alan Knight, 47, from Swansea, faked his condition
but was caught by police going on shopping trips
and holidays.
After he was caught, Knight admitted himself to
hospital to avoid court hearings on "at least two
occasions".
But he admitted to theft and forgery at Swansea
Crown Court and faces jail when sentenced in
November.
The court heard that Knight, who claimed to have no
movement from the neck down, was caught on CCTV
walking around a supermarket and driving his car
to Dorset.
'Calculated deception'
South Wales Police Det Con Paul Harry said: "This is
the most calculated, long-term deception of a
vulnerable, elderly neighbour I have ever seen.
"He had constantly avoided court for two years,
costing police, the NHS and the court system
thousands of pounds".
The conman said he suffered a serious neck injury
that left him in a comatose state
Helen Knight, 33, claimed she had to look after her
husband at their Swansea home
Alan Knight spent money on holidays and a
caravan
Knight was living on benefits after claiming he had
suffered a massive neck injury.
The court heard he claimed his injury had caused
him to have seizures which left him in a comatose
state.
His wife Helen, 33, claimed she had to care for her
husband who had snapped his neck after falling
backwards as he pulled down a garage door.
But the whole time he was attempting to evade
prosecution after carrying out an elaborate fraud
targeting neighbour Ivor Richards' life savings and
shares over a three-year period.
The court heard how he "systematically" funnelled
£41,570 out of the pensioner's bank account which he
used to pay for holidays and to buy a caravan in
Dorset.
Officers tried "at least twice" to bring him court but
each time he admitted himself to hospital claiming
his condition had worsened.
However, doctors at the hospital spotted him eating,
wiping his face and writing.
He finally appeared in court in a wheel chair and
wearing a neck brace to admit the charges.
The court heard it was believed the bank had
reimbursed his victim.
BBC
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