Conman used woman's cash for car

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A conman who tricked a woman he met on the internet out of £53,000 for a new Porsche sports car has been jailed.

David Price, 42, struck up a relationship with Paula Jones, of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, after meeting in an online chatroom.

Mrs Jones, 40, was persuaded to sell her house on the basis the money would be used as a deposit on a new home for them, Newport Crown Court heard.

Price was jailed for four years after admitting 11 charges of fraud.

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds said: "He was initially extremely caring and supportive. Eventually they met and a relationship developed.

"He would travel to see her or they would meet halfway in a hotel.

She clearly became besotted with you and entrusted you with the totality of her money Judge Roderick Denyer QC

"Paula was very excited, very much in love and prepared to uproot her children to make a life for all four of them in south-east England."

Price, who was living with another woman at the time, promised a "besotted" Mrs Jones they would make a life together.

Divorcee Mrs Jones sold her house in Abergavenny for £123,000 and transferred £53,000 into Price's bank account.

But Price, of Crowborough, East Sussex, bought a Porsche on the day the money was transferred into his bank account.

Mr Reynolds said: "It was on the basis they would use the money to purchase a home together.

"The truth is he had no intention of buying a home and wanted to get his hands on her money.

'Ripped off'

"Mrs Jones trusted him and thought buying a home together would make her dreams come true."

Mrs Jones later tipped off police who discovered Price was also falsely claiming housing benefits and making illegal mortgage applications.

Judge Roderick Denyer QC told him: "You ripped off the bank, you ripped off the state, and above all you exploited Paula Jones.

"She clearly became besotted with you and entrusted you with the totality of her money.

"This was targeted and exploitative fraud."