'The most evil man I ever met'
AN 'EVIL' con-man who preyed on vulnerable elderly people and abused neighbours and emergency personnel has been jailed at Plymouth Crown Court, writes court reporter Graham Broach.
Leslie Brien, pictured, had been convicted at trial of fraud after he and two other men called at the house of a couple in their eighties at Brixton in 2008. Brien offered to do gardening work, later valued at £40, but then demanded £600.
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Leslie-Brien
The husband was taken to a cashpoint in Plympton and forced to draw out £600 – but police had been called, and Brien handed it back.
Outside the court, investigating officer Det Con Paul Manifield from Ivybridge said: "Leslie Brien is the most evil man I have ever met."
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Brien, 50 and from Clarence Place, Stonehouse, has previous convictions for similar offences in 2000 and 2004, one involving obtaining a £10,000 cheque from an elderly woman with dementia.
Prosecuting, Jason Beal said Brien had admitted two breaches of an Asbo imposed on June 3, 2008.
On March 19 last year Brien shouted foul abuse and threatened to kick in the door of a female neighbour who didn't know him and wouldn't let him into the communal entrance to their flats.
On July 19, paramedics were trying to take him to hospital against his will. He shouted and swore at them and, when police arrived, threatened to kill them.
In mitigation, it was said Brien suffered from mood swings and health problems including a duodenal ulcer, asthma, angina, psychotic episodes and depression.
Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Brien to a total of 98 weeks in jail, less 90 days served on remand, saying the fraud was most serious, with the elderly victims left shy and afraid.
Brien had upset a woman home alone and been 'a thorough nuisance' to the emergency services, he said.
Comments
by effthesystem, plymouth
Saturday, January 30 2010, 3:28AM
“He looks what he is.2 years for making old people scared out of thier wits,any party serious about dealing with scum like that gets my vote.really dont think any of (partys) them are brave enough to make that move though.”
by Mick, Barbican
Saturday, January 30 2010, 2:46AM
“The neighbourhood where he lived must have been soft to let him get away with his antics”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, January 29 2010, 8:40PM
“I'm a member of a party that will happily string up Brien and his sort, I mean what good are they to anybody?”
by Tony, Plymouth
Friday, January 29 2010, 8:38PM
“What happened to the suspended sentence from August 2008 As it was supended for two years surely this sentence must now be added to the new one.”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, January 29 2010, 8:35PM
“Lost quote-"Please dont let this comment section become a slanging match about BNP etc"
Surely its relevant with a general election on the way to criticise the govt for its softness towards crime, or won't you hear a word said against them?”
by dcm, ivybridge
Friday, January 29 2010, 8:12PM
“steve miller, be quite, just because dc manfield caught you you theving little scumbag.”
by steve, ivybridge
Friday, January 29 2010, 7:47PM
“this fellow does seem a nasty piece of work ist just a shame the DC MANIFIELD who investigated is one of the most unprofessional disrespectfull officers in ivybridges cid !!!”
by lost for words, Efford
Friday, January 29 2010, 6:55PM
“Please dont let this comment section become a slanging match about BNP etc. Do not let it detract from the scum that is Brien!! This stain on society is not capable of being a member of any sort of organisation what so ever. He will cheat, abuse and con any vunerable person, mostly the elderly to fulfil his own dependencies and i am sure you can guess what those are.”
by lost for words, Efford
Friday, January 29 2010, 6:06PM
“For those who know of him Leslie Brien is about as low an example of a human being as you can get. He has preyed on the old and vunerable for years and he will do the same again. 98 weeks is a joke 98 years would be more appropriate. This scum will be out to roam the streets in no time.”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, January 29 2010, 5:29PM
“No wonder God made hell for human debris like him.
There is a God..:)”