Man Jailed for Defrauding Vulnerable Victims of £20,000 Intended for Cancer Charity

A court heard that a con artist, described as “wicked and predatory,” who falsely claimed to be collecting funds for a cancer charity, admitted to “rinsing an old fella” upon his arrest. William Redmond informed his two susceptible victims that the £20,000 they had provided him was intended for the Marie Curie charity. However, the 34-year-old, from the Walton area of Liverpool, actually utilized these funds to support his cocaine addiction. Redmond, residing on Walton Breck Road, received a sentence of four-and-a-half years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for his “relentless campaign of dishonesty.” Judge Garrett Byrne addressed him, stating: “On any view your behaviour was wicked, manipulative, predatory and callous.” He further added: “At no time have you demonstrated any real empathy for your victims.” Prosecutor Simon Christie reported that Redmond began targeting his first victim in 2022, ultimately defrauding him of £12,000. Redmond’s arrest occurred after employees at a bank on Allerton Road became suspicious, having frequently observed him with his victim repeatedly withdrawing cash. During a police interview, Redmond confessed to “rinsing an old fella,” according to Mr Christie. The victim, now 65 years old, stated: “He was driving me mad. Every time the door went it would be him.” Redmond’s other victim, aged 72, expressed feeling embarrassed, “as if I had become a silly old man.”