A COURT heard how four Accrington men deceived a 77-year-old Blackburn woman into giving them thousands of pounds for work they had not done.

Two of them took their victim to her bank and building society on a number of occasions to withdraw money which they kept. Cashiers were told it was for building work they had carried out.

Victor Young, 52, of Hays Lane, Oswaldtwistle, and Steven Connolly, 24, of Brocklehurst Avenue, Accrington, were sentenced to 20 months in prison on a charge of obtaining £3,000 by deception.

Thomas McKenzie, 29, also of Hays Lane, Oswaldtwistle, received an eight month custodial sentence for dishonestly handling £1,000.

Anthony Connolly, 31, of Dowry Street, Accrington, received a 28 day custodial sentence for handling a £1,600 cheque.

The victim, Eileen Wood, from Blackburn, was described as forgetful and confused.

She was unable to give evidence because she was suffering from senile dementia.

The court heard how Young and Steven Connolly had taken her to the bank and building society on a number of occasions.

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