A man from Eccles has been jailed after scamming his vulnerable elderly neighbour out of more than £100,000.
It comes after an extensive investigation by detectives in Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Economic Crime Unit, which was launched after a reported to police that it believed ‘suspicious activity’ was taking place in a 76-year-old man’s bank account.
It was quickly established that the victim was a neighbour of Lee Hodson and his girlfriend Jennifer Picken in Eccles.
Hodson was able to dupe and deceive his way into being named on the victim’s financial accounts by creating online access while posing as the victim, which he did by stealing confidential post, personal paperwork, and the victim’s private information – such as date of birth, phone numbers, previous addresses, occupations, and his National Insurance number, all in order to pass online security checks.
Hodson successfully impersonated the victim and proceeded to set up online accounts using his own contact details, and also used his girlfriend’s bank account to launder the money.
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That’s not all either, as Hodson also sadly updated the victim’s pensions and state benefits so that they would be paid directly into his own account without flagging bank security.
#JAILED | An investigation led by our Economic Crime Unit was launched after a bank reported to police they believed suspicious activity was taking place in a 76-year-old man’s bank account.
The victim’s bank finally contacted the police after a total of was £230,742.39 was withdrawn from the victim’s account to Picken’s bank account in June 2021 – with the money then being withdrawn, spent, and dispersed across multiple accounts and family members.
After police obtained enough evidence, Hodson was charged with multiple offences including fraud, burglary, escape from lawful custody, assault with intent to resist arrest, and money laundering, while Picken was also charged with fraud and money laundering offences.
Hodson was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering, escaping lawful custody, impersonating a police officer, and burglary offences.
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Picken was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 150 hours of community service.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Tim Flint, who leads a team of fraud detectives in GMP’s Economic Crime Team, said: “We were investigating a well-planned fraud which ultimately targeted an elderly gentleman out of £100,000.
“It was heartless and they preyed on him because of his age.
“Their despicable actions have had a devastating impact on the victim who has now sadly passed away and now his surviving relatives have had to endure a trial.”
Featured Image – GMP
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New landmark chickenpox vaccine begins UK rollout to protect thousands of children
Emily Sergeant
A new landmark chickenpox vaccine is beginning its rollout across the UK in a bid to help protect hundreds of thousands of children.
Chickenpox is a common infection in children that spreads easily.
It is usually mild but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits. The latest Government data indicates that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of 10.
Currently, children who catch chickenpox are typically advised to stay off school until all spots have formed a scab – which is usually five days after the spots appear.
But now, this new vaccine will mean children can miss fewer days in nursery or school, and reduce time parents need to take off work to care for them.
Hundreds of thousands of young children are now being offered the chickenpox protection as part of routine NHS childhood vaccinations.
The combined vaccine adds chickenpox protection to the existing measles, mumps and rubella schedule.
Surprisingly, it’s estimated that around £24 million is lost in income and productivity every year in the UK due to childhood chickenpox, so not only will the new vaccine rollout save money this way, but it is also expected to save the NHS a whopping £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.
The new vaccine comes following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations – with a combined MMRV vaccine replacing the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella).
From now on, GP practices on the NHS will start to offer children the combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age.
Dr Claire Fuller, who is the National Medical Director for NHS England, called the rollout a ‘hugely positive moment’ for children and their families.
“From now, the combined vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox will be available at children’s routine vaccination appointments to keep children healthier and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses,” commented Dr Fuller.
“The new vaccine will also help the health service move its focus from sickness to prevention, and keep more children safe and in school.”
Featured Image – Jonny McCullagh (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Greater Manchester hit with snow and ice weather warning to welcome in new year
Emily Sergeant
Weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across much of the UK, including here in Greater Manchester.
As the country wakes up to the first working day of the new year, cold Arctic air now covers most of the UK, according to the Met Office – with temperatures being well below average, widespread frost and ice, and an increasing risk of snow showers.
Snow is expected to settle on the ground in some areas, particularly in northern and some central areas, while the risk of widespread ice could make travel ‘hazardous’.
While much of Greater Manchester falls under the yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued by the Met Office – which is now in force, and expected to end around midday today (2 January) – it will primarily be more southern and western parts of our region that are likely to see snowfall, if any.
Forecasters say an area of sleet and snow is expected to move southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, lasting approximately two or three hours in any one place, and where snow does fall, only one or two cm is likely for some and perhaps as much as five cm in a few spots, especially higher ground of north Wales, north west England, and perhaps the north west Midlands.
Some ice may form as a result of snow frozen surfaces, and icy patches will also develop quickly as sleet and snow clears.
Greater Manchester braces for snow as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning / Credit: Geograph | Pexels
Under the yellow weather warning, you should expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times, some injuries may occur from slips and falls on icy surfaces, and there are likely some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.
“With Arctic air now covering most of the UK, very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0°C for some,” explained Chief Met Office Forecaster, Neil Armstrong.
“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”
You can keep up to date with weather warnings on the Met Office website here.
Emily Sergeant -
17th February 2025 
