Jail for community worker who stole OAP’s identity in bank scam

A COMMUNITY worker from Sandy Row who set up a false bank account in the name of a vulnerable elderly resident has been jailed for 10 months.

Samuel John Hillerby will spend an additional 10 months on licence when he is released from custody after a Crown Court judge determined that he deliberately targeted a “vulnerable” man who was partially blind and had dementia.

Hillerby, who is from Belfast but whose address was given as Horizon House, Battersea Reach, London, originally denied charges of fraud by false representation and claimed he was helping the pensioner out.

However, the 29-year-old former youth worker later admitted three counts of fraud by false representation dating back to 2014.

Belfast Crown Court heard that as the man in his 70s was moved to a care home, Hillerby set up a false account with the Nationwide in the pensioner’s name, and opened a credit card account.

These offences were committed between October 18 and December 9, 2014, and the accounts were set up online.

Hillerby also pretended to be the pensioner and made two unsuccessful applications for loans with an online finance company between November 12 and 30, 2014.

Telling Judge Smyth that Hillerby had a relevant record for similar offences committed in Wales, the prosecutor said that as a result of his offending, Hillerby had to leave Belfast and was now living in London.

Defence barrister Des Fahy Belfast man Hillerby will spend an additional 10 months on licence when he is released from custody after a Crown Court judge determined that he deliberately targeted a vulnerable man who was partially blind and suffered from dementia said that while there was “no doubt” the offences were exploitative, this was not a classic breach of trust case. Instead, Hillerby’s position as a community worker allowed him to assist theolderman—whichhedidfor a period of time.

Mr Fahy said the offending came as Hillerby’s working hours were being significantly reduced, and the pensioner’s debilitation became more marked.

Hillerby’s barrister told the court that as a result of his offending, Hillerby became the subject of threats from within his own community, which forced him to relocate to Britain.

“His reputation within his family and his own community has been destroyed by this behaviour,” Mr Fahy told the court.

Passing sentence, Judge Patricia Smyth said she accepted the money in question was used as Hillerby’s “personal living expenses”, and also noted the positive contribution Hillerby made to the Sandy Row area as a community worker.

However, pointing out Hillerby came before the court with previous relevant convictions, the judge said he seemed more concerned about the impact it has had on his life, rather than expressing genuine remorse.

The judge said it was her view the pensioner was “deliberately targeted because of his vulnerability”.