THE publicity surrounding the imprisonment of ‘predatory’ Cirencester fraudster Benjamin Savory “sends a really good message” to other offenders in the town, according to police.

Speaking at the annual town meeting last Thursday, Cotswold Police Sergeant Garrett Gloyn praised the fact that the Standard had used Savory’s image on the front page last week.

The 23-year-old was jailed for 22 months in March for fleecing two vulnerable men of large sums of cash.

“It does send a really good message to some of our other local people that come to the police attention for misbehaviour and getting Ben on the front of the paper sends a really good message,” he said.

“Ben's a young bloke who has been in a bit of trouble with us down the years, but he has recently been preying on at least two local men,” said Sgt Gloyn.

"Badgering them for money and because of their particular vulnerabilities they have been unable to say no.

“We warned him about that but he persisted and ended up being arrested.

"Ben's got 23 months in jail but also a five year restraining order which instructs him not to contact the two victims or go to their addresses.

“I'm particularly pleased about that investigation, not only because we lock up Ben Savory for lying and effectively stealing money from these guys, but it does send a really good message,” he added.

Sgt Gloyn had previously described Savory’s relationship with his victims as ‘predatory’.