Fraudster who stole a vulnerable pensioner’s bank card is jailed

A fraudster who befriended a vulnerable man has been jailed after stealing his bank card and going on a 48-hour shopping spree.

Rachelle Vincent has now been sentenced to 6 years in prison for her crimes.

On 30 March 2023, Vincent attended an address in Tonbridge. The home belonged to a man in his 80s, whom she had targeted at a local café.

After talking for a short while, Vincent returned home with the man, who invited her in to continue their conversation. During the visit, the thief asked to use the toilet and took the opportunity to search through bedroom drawers.

After she had left, the victim later noticed his wallet, containing a sum of cash and his bank card, was missing.

Over the next two days, Vincent was caught on camera using the stolen bank card to make many contactless payments at shops in Paddock Wood and Cranbrook for takeaway food, sweets, alcohol, tobacco, toilet roll, newspapers and magazines. Her spending totalled £349.47.

She was wearing a distinctive coat at the time, which would later form part of evidence against her.

After cancelling his card, the victim notified police of the incident and an investigation was launched.

Arrested

Officers arrested Vincent at an address in Cranbrook and subsequent searches led to the seizure of her coat and the victim's bank card.

Vincent, of Sussex Avenue in Canterbury, was further arrested and later charged with burglary and fraud.

The 41 year old pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 15 October.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Hayley Campbell, said:

'Vincent manipulated her elderly and vulnerable victim, abusing his trust to enjoy comforts she could not afford. 'Thanks to a swiftly launched investigation, officers were able to retrieve a trail of damning evidence, documenting Vincent's movements and expenditure. 'Detectives even recovered her distinctive coat, which helped to identify her on CCTV. 'The lengthy custodial sentence will prevent Vincent from swindling more cash from vulnerable members of the community for quite some time.'