77-year-old cons elderly women
A conman who preyed on elderly women, charming them and then scamming them out of thousands of dollars, has pleaded guilty.
William Harding, 77, went on the run for almost a year after conning several women out of money.
Harding was arrested in Levin in May and pleaded guilty to deception charges in the Whanganui District Court on Thursday.
A daughter of one of his victims said he had been living in their home in Whanganui in 2015, with her recently widowed mother.
Harding had made the woman’s mother put a deposit on a house, but then ‘‘did a runner’’, causing her to lose $8000 in her deposit and legal fees, she said.
‘‘She has lost her confidence in people.
‘‘He was like the kids’ grandfather. We just had to explain to them that there are people like that in the world.’’
Harding would meet women at Probus gatherings and would charm them into giving him money, the woman said.
‘‘He would usually have three to four women on the go.’’
He would also offer to paint people’s houses and get money up front, then not do the work.
‘‘His painting was his cover to try to meet elderly ladies.’’
Harding had also spent time living with a woman on the Kapiti Coast, after he convinced her his house had been affected by the Kaikoura Earthquake, she said.
Another woman had loaned him money under the impression he needed to buy a shipping container for his deceased brother’s belongings.
His victims and their families sat patiently in the courtroom as they listened to the proceedings.
Harding did not look at his victims as he stood in the dock.
‘‘Don’t feel sorry for him because he is old,’’ the daughter told the Manawatu Standard outside the courtroom.
‘‘More victims are coming forward. Some have passed away. Some have alzheimers. A lot are just so embarrassed. ‘‘It has aged all the victims.’’ In court, Judge Anthony Couch said Harding would be given the opportunity for restorative justice.
However, his victims had no interest in speaking to him, the woman said.
‘‘It has never changed him in the past. Everything is going to be lies.’’
She said they were glad he had admitted his guilt, having anticipated Harding would drag the process on.
‘‘We will be happy once he is sentenced to prison.
‘‘Last time [he was in court] was hard. The victims were not quite as upset [this time] as they were last time.’’
Harding’s court appearance falls during Elder Abuse Week and the woman said it was important for young people to look after the vulnerable elderly.
‘‘There are lots of people like William Harding in the community.’’
She worried that Harding would serve his time in jail and then go back to scamming people.
‘‘Even if he is in his early 80s, he is never going to stop.’’
This case showed it was important for victims to speak up, she said.
Harding will be sentenced in August and will await his fate behind bars as his lawyer made no application for bail.
‘‘I think that is probably appropriate given his history and what has happened recently,’’ the judge said.