A 26-YEAR-OLD Dock man has been jailed for stealing over £3,000 in cash from a vulnerable pensioner who believed he was his friend.

Alfie Shelley used the pensioner’s bank card repeatedly over a 14-month period, taking a total of £3,502.54 from his bank account.

This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were told that the pensioner first met Shelley in July 2022, as the 75-year-old was attempting to carry his shopping back to his home in Laws Street, Pembroke Dock.

“The victim befriended him, which means this offence amounted to a breach of trust,” said Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker.

“The victim felt sorry for Alfie Shelley and allowed him to use his bank card on two occasions to buy food. But he then became concerned that his bank account was getting less and less.”

The court heard that, due to the victim’s failing eyesight, he disclosed his PIN number to Shelley, enabling him to continue withdrawing money. The thefts continued until September 2023.

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which the pensioner expressed his disappointment at what had happened.

“I’m very angry and very upset because of what has happened to me at my age,” he said. “I’m really angry that I ever trusted him.

“I was so vulnerable, and he took advantage. He pretended to be my friend, but he wanted to take money from me.”

The pensioner added that he has since seen Shelley speaking to elderly people in the street on numerous occasions.

“I believe this is so that he can take money from them,” he said. “But I don’t want this to happen again.”

Shelley, of Market Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to fraud by making a false representation and two charges of theft. He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

“When this relationship began, it wasn’t to target the victim for taking money,” said Mr Lloyd. “The defendant genuinely tried to assist him. But when he had access to the bank card, temptation got the better of him.”

Mr Lloyd added that Shelley was going through a particularly difficult period at the time of the offences.

“This is a young man who’s had a difficult start in life,” he said. “He’s being treated for a brain tumour and a brain aneurysm, and he’s had a very difficult family background and upbringing.

“This is something he deeply regrets, and he wants to apologise for his behaviour.”

Shelley was jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay £3,502.54 in compensation to the victim, along with a £187 court surcharge and £85 costs.