Pc swindled woman out of £75,000

An ex-policeman has been convicted of conning an elderly woman he met during an inquiry out of more than £75,000.

John Morgan, 48, of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, was found guilty of seven charges of obtaining money by deception from 89-year-old Joan Harpin.

He was also convicted of one forgery charge. Jurors at Basildon Crown Court have not yet reached verdicts on the former policeman's 11 other charges.

His wife Eunice, 50, has already been cleared of 15 charges of deception.

Credit card debts

The hearing, which was adjourned for the day on Monday, is due to resume on Tuesday.

Prosecutors told the court Morgan was working for the Metropolitan Police when he met Miss Harpin five years ago.

They allege that over a three-year period he stole her savings and sold her £200,000 home in Palmers Green, north London.

David Walbank, prosecuting, told jurors that Morgan used Miss Harpin's money to pay off credit card debts and buy a Rolex watch. He also bought an Audi TT and a VW Golf.