A Lisburn man has been jailed for six months for attempting to steal £5,000 from an elderly woman by posing as a policeman. Manuel Lovell, aged 23, from Hill Street, was sentenced for his involvement in what was described as a "mean offence". Belfast crown court heard the pensioner was asked by a man pretending to be from Antrim Road RUC station to assist police investigating counterfeit banknotes. She was asked to withdraw £5,000 in £20 notes and then to leave the money under her wheelie bin.
However, as Judge Peter Gibson noted she had her wits about her and informed the police who then trapped the accused. A defence lawyer said: "Clearly taking advantage of a vulnerable, elderly lady is indefensible." However, he pointed out that Lovell was not the "architect" but was a messenger, who had been sent to pick up the money.
