A MAN, who tricked an Abingdon mother into giving him money she had saved for a headstone for her 13-year-old son's grave, has been jailed.

Adam Boon was convicted by an unanimous jury of three counts of fraud by false representation following a trial which ended on Thursday.

The 46-year-old, described as a 'calculated conman', defrauded two women by entering into relationships with them.

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Knowing they were vulnerable, he manipulated both his victims into giving him money, which came to almost £7,000 between them.

In both instances the women gave the money as a loan but, the court heard, Boon had no intention to pay back the cash and did not make any effort to do so.

One of the victims was from Abingdon, the other from Portsmouth.

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The woman from Abingdon had been specifically saving the money to buy a new headstone for her son, who died at the age of 13.

Boon was fully aware of this and still asked for the money from her. 

The fraud took place between February 2016 and September 2016.

Investigating officer, PC Matt Wheeler based at Abingdon, said: “I am pleased that Boon has been convicted for these offences.

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“He is a calculated conman who exploited two vulnerable women and targeted them.

"He created a persona that was believable and he manipulated these women into falling for him and took whatever money they had."

He added: “Neither of the victims were aware of each other and when Boon couldn’t obtain money from one of them, he ran to the other.“

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“The effect on both women has been incredibly detrimental from a financial and emotional perspective.

“Both of the victims have acted with incredible courage, integrity and resilience throughout an incredibly difficult time, and hopefully Boon’s conviction will offer some closure for them.”

Boon, of Allaway Avenue, Portsmouth, was jailed for 30 months.