Blackpool Man Jailed for 28 โMonths in ยฃ25,000 Fraud โTargeting Elderly
A Blackpool man has been โคsentenced to 28 months in prison for defrauding six victims – including one grieving a dying husband – out of a total of โคยฃ25,000. Michael Coyle, 57, of Common โEdge Road, pleaded guilty to fraud by false โportrayal at Preston Crown Court on October 31st. He falsely claimed he โคwas โcompleting commissioned work, then pocketed money without delivering theโข promised services.
Coyle targeted victims from Oldham, โbispham, Lytham, Blackpool, and North Wales, exploitingโค their trust for personal financial gain. Oneโค victim, quoted ยฃ9,000 for wall repairs, questioned theโ cost, โขasking Coyle, “what are theโค bricks made of, pure gold?” The case highlights a growing trend of predatory schemes aimed at vulnerable individuals, prompting Lancashireโฃ Police to issue warnings about door-to-door and courier fraud.
Victims described feelingโ betrayed, anxious, and distrustful followingโค Coyle’s actions.Lancashire Policeโฃ reported one victim stated Coyle knowingly targeted her while her husband โwas dying, taking advantage of her grief.
Recorder Clancyโค described Coyle’s offending as “calculated and shameful” during โthe sentencing.Detective Constableโฃ jim Hall of the force’s Serious and โOrganisedโค Crime unit called Coyle’s behaviour “absolutely despicable,” adding, “Inโข targeting his victims, he has preyed on mainly elderly or vulnerable peopleโค and exploited them for hisโ own personal financial gain.”
Lancashire Police advise residents on protectingโ themselves from fraud on their website: https://www.lancashire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/door-to-door-courier-fraud/.
