Man jailed for defrauding elderly couple in Falmouth
A man who exploited and defrauded a vulnerable elderly couple in West Cornwall has been jailed for five and a half years.
Pervical Harris, aged 59, appeared at Truro Crown Court today, 12 September, where he was sentenced for two counts of fraud, two counts of forgery and one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Harris, of Summerheath, Mabe Burnthouse, pleaded not guilty to the offences but was found guilty to five counts on in July 2024 by a jury following trial. He was found not guilty of theft and two counts of conspiracy to create a false instrument.
The court had heard that the victims had created wills in 2015 through a solicitor, naming Harris as one of the executors and leaving a small portion of their estate to him along with other family members.
Following their deaths in 2017 and 2018, the family became aware of some discrepancies in the wills provided and noted that the dates didn’t match so they contacted police to report their concerns.
Through the police investigation, Detectives were able to establish that Harris had himself created amended wills for the victims in 2016, leaving the majority of their estates to himself.
He had also paid two vulnerable local men to witness the new documents, paying them a small amount of cash.
Police received a report from the family in late 2018, who were concerned about not being able to get hold of Harris to deal with the estate, which was when his actions began to come to light.
A forensic handwriting expert and financial investigator supported the case and provided evidence at court in relation to the money and handwriting in the updated wills.
Harris appeared at Truro Crown Court today, where he was sentenced him to five and a half years in prison.
Following the conclusion of the criminal investigation, police will be pursuing to retrieve the funds from Harris.
Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Isabelle Woodall said: “A five-year investigation has concluded today with the sentencing of a man who was prepared to exploit the most vulnerable in society for his own financial gain.
“The victims in this case had no children and lived remotely, had no way of knowing that the man that they believed to be a devoted friend, was motivated by greed.
“Having identified their vulnerabilities and earned their trust Harris contrived to siphon off their assets, netting what remained following their deaths, despite safeguarding measures which should have protected them.”
DC Woodall added: “His endeavours to avoid justice saw no hesitation on Mr Harris’s part to publicly insult the victims’ families and allow another vulnerable person to face the possibility of conviction for his unwitting part in Mr. Harris’s deception.
“The victims’ families are private people who have found the publicity surrounding this case distressing. Their patience and unwavering support has been commendable.
“It is with sincere thanks to the family, including Mr Alan Tucker who sadly didn’t live to see the conclusion, that this matter has come to light so it may raise awareness and the profile of this exploitative crime.”
If you have been affected by crime, please visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version