Man jailed after manipulating grandparents into giving him hundreds of thousands of pounds

A man who manipulated his grandparents into handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds to him has been jailed.

Over the course of a decade, Daniel Tilden, 31, of no fixed abode, manipulated the victims, aged 79 and 81, into handing him more than £384,000.

On Wednesday (24/04), Tilden appeared at Swindon Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment. He was also fined and given a 10-year restraining order.

From 2013, Tilden began frequently visiting his grandparents’ house and lying to them to coerce them to hand over money, claiming it was for a new car or for prescriptions, and on one occasion claiming it was for private cancer treatment.

At first, he took his vulnerable grandfather to a bank to withdraw thousands of pounds at a time.

When this was stopped by the bank, he began coercing his grandfather to obtain cashback at local supermarkets, before then asking his grandfather to meet him at cashpoints to make withdrawals.

Tilden was arrested in November last year and bailed while enquiries continued, repeatedly breaking conditions requiring him not to visit his grandparents.

He was then re-arrested and charged with controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act having manipulated his grandparents into giving him a total of £384,077.

In a victim impact statement, his grandfather said he was scared to say no to Tilden, describing his home life as like being ‘under siege’ due to the constant visits.

PC Sarah Hardwidge, based in Devizes, said: “This was a complex investigation which the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team worked on for three years.

“It was through partnership working with medical professionals, adult social care, banks and local shops that we were able to gather the evidence required and safeguard the victims.

“Daniel’s offending behaviour towards his grandparents was appalling. He took advantage of their good nature and has caused them lasting distress in their own home.  

“We would also like to thank the CPS and the courts for recognising the seriousness of this crime which is reflected in the sentence given.

“We’re extremely pleased and relieved at the outcome as it has brought peace to the victims and protected them from further abuse.”