Neighbourhood Heroes Nab Cash Thief Targeting Elderly Victim
John Payne, 48, has been jailed for three years after trying to rob a vulnerable 89-year-old man in Kingsbury. Vigilant neighbours caught Payne red-handed as he arrived to snatch cash and promptly phoned the police, leading to his swift arrest.
Fake Police Calls Used to Trick Pensioner
The scam kicked off in June 2020. Payne and his gang made a string of bogus phone calls, pretending to be police officers. They told the elderly man he had fake money and instructed him to empty his safe and leave the cash outside for an undercover cop to collect.
Luckily, the victim’s carer smelled a rat and alerted nearby neighbours.
Neighbours Swap Cash for Tea Towels, Set Trap
The neighbours sprang into action, teaming up with the victim to swap the real money for a bag full of tea towels. They then waited in hiding for Payne to show up. When he did, the group detained him until the police arrived.
Judge Praises Bravery, Pays Tribute to Community Spirit
At Isleworth Crown Court on July 13, Payne was found guilty of conspiracy to steal. The judge lauded the neighbours’ bravery and ordered a reward for their heroic intervention.
“Payne had no scruples trying to swindle a vulnerable older man out of his life savings,” said Detective Constable Sonia Darrington. “Thanks to the neighbours’ quick thinking and courage, no money was lost and a serious crime was stopped in its tracks.”
Two other men were initially arrested but later released without charges. Payne, from Maitland Park Villas, NW3, is now behind bars for his cold-hearted crime.
