A FRAUDSTER who befriended a young car crash victim and conned him out of thousands of pounds of his compensation money has been jailed for four years.

Nigel Lelliott, 48, is believed to have stolen in the region of £120,000 between 2008 and 2010 after convincing his 19-year-old victim to pay him large sums of money on the false pretence that he was managing a building project for him in Wootton Bassett.

He spent the money on luxury holidays, artwork, jewellery and cars.

At the same time he was also pocketing rent money from another property he was supposed to be managing for the victim.

Lelliott, of Twickenham Close, Swindon, was found guilty at Taunton Crown Court of five counts of fraud and theft.

His victim had been awarded compensation after suffering serious injuries in a car crash when he was a child. The money was intended to allow him to live independently, the court heard.

Det Cons Liz Booker of Wiltshire Police said: "Lelliott abused the trust that his victim had placed in him and took advantage of the friendship that he believed they shared.

"Lelliott has also refused to take any responsibility for his actions, having denied any offence throughout his trial. This caused further distress to his victim who had to relive the ordeal by giving evidence at the trial.”

A confiscation hearing is scheduled to take place in April next year under the Proceeds of Crime Act in relation to this case.