A PAIR of “despicable” fraudsters tricked elderly women, including two with dementia, into handing over thousands of pounds for bogus causes.

William John Moore and partner Stacey Crossan, both of Southmead Close, Mayfield, tricked more than £5,000, 30 goats and land from three ladies in their eighties.

Moore, 40, conned an 83-year-old woman from Rotherfield with advanced dementia into writing a £5,500 cheque, made out to Crossan, after she agreed to pay him just £175 for work on her garden.

He then befriended an 86-year-old woman who lives near Hastings, convincing her he planned to open a riding school for disabled children.

Playing on her age and religious convictions, he conned her into signing over some land she owned in the belief he would use it for the charity.

He then offered to take 30 pet goats off her hands in exchange for a Rolex watch apparently worth £3,5000 but which turned out to be fake and virtually worthless.

Moore was finally thwarted when he targeted another woman with dementia in Buxted. He touted for gardening work but when she had no cash to pay him he took her to her building society to withdraw money where staff became suspicious and called police.

Moore admitted four counts of fraud at Lewes Crown Court and was jailed for three years.

Crossan, 33, admitted a proceeds of crime act offence and was handed a 12-month community order plus 120 hours of unpaid community work.

Detective Constable Micheala Pearce, who led the investigation into the crimes, said: “These were deliberate and despicable attempts to take advantage of elderly women, two of whom suffered from dementia.

“I am delighted that Moore is now in prison.

“I hope it demonstrates that Sussex Police takes such crimes seriously, no matter what the victims’ ages or health, and will fully investigate any allegations of people being criminally defrauded with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice.”