Fake plot means jail (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fake plot means jail

A WOMAN who used a fake identity to try to steal thousands of pounds from a Swindon bank is behind bars.

Magistrates said that Sharon Cox, 45, of Green Lanes, London, was the architect of a devious plot.

Even after the bank uncovered her lies she continued to deceive the police in a desperate attempt to get away with it.

Yesterday Cox pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates' Court to attempted deception and obstructing the police.

She also asked for another count of deception to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that on May 17 this year Cox pretended to be another woman, Beverly Gerard, and lied to staff at the Abbey, in Regent Street, about losing her bank book.

Cox then used the replacement book to withdraw £500 from Beverly Gerard's account.

Shortly after, on June 1, Cox returned and tried to clear £9,500 out of the same account.

She was caught after a member of staff became suspicious and called the police.

But prosecutor, Anna Humphries said that Cox refused to give up the game.

"She stated that she was the woman and that the account was hers," she said.

It was only after police checked Cox's fingerprints that they discovered she was a heroin addict with a string of previous convictions for dishonesty.

Defending, Stephen Weighell said that Cox had started getting in to trouble when she began taking heroin.

"This started two years ago only so what I am hoping sincerely is once she is off it she is not going to get back on it again," he said.

Cox, dressed in a smart black suit, stood motionless as the magistrates gave her a two-month prison sentence.

David Packham, chairman of the bench, told her: "You attempted to deceive the bank of a very large sum of money by a very devious plot that you had obviously planned.

"We think there is no other way of dealing with you because the offence is so serious that we must send you in to custody,

"We very much hope that you will now take this opportunity to sort yourself out."

A spokesman for Abbey said that they were pleased to have helped foil Cox's plan and warned people to be aware of the danger of identity fraud.

"We are delighted that the calm and diligent actions of one of our branch colleagues in Swindon was able to protect an Abbey customer's money," the spokesman said.

"They will certainly be getting a little something in reward for their efforts.

"One thing that these people do is search your bins, so invest in a shredder and ensure you use it.

"The bank will never ask for your pin number or password over the telephone or on email so avoid doing that.

"It's always good to safeguard your own information."

Gareth Bethell