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IAN BLOY, OF PELAW, HAS BEEN JAILED FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE VICTIM BY DEFRAUDING HIM 16:00, 02 Feb 2025 A drug addict who fleeced a vulnerable brain injury victim to bankroll his habit

has been jailed. The victim suffered a brain injury in 1986 and lacks mental capacity regarding his finances, Newcastle Crown Court heard. A social worker became concerned in March last year

after the man reported having only £40 left due to Bloy taking his money. There was also often limited food in his cupboards and in June last year he only had £10 left from the £200 he had

received the previous day and he said he wanted Bloy to stay away from him. Police were informed but the victim was "unable to act on safeguarding advice given to him by the

police" to avoid contact with Bloy. The court heard there was CCTV of Bloy with the victim on multiple occasions, including after he had been bailed with conditions to keep away from

him. Judge Gavin Doig told Bloy: "You took advantage of him, stealing money from him. He handed the money over to you." He added: "There is no doubt the victim was

particularly vulnerable." Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter Prosecutors said it was impossible to put a precise figure on how

much Bloy had defrauded the victim by. His finances were controlled by solicitors and he got a weekly allowance of £200, meaning he would have received £8,400 during the period of the

offending but it was not suggested Bloy had taken anything like that amount. Bloy, who has 74 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to fraud and was jailed for 15 months. He was also given an

indefinite restraining order not to contact the victim or go near his home in Gateshead. Article continues below Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "I don't know what's in the

head of a person who can only see the future as far as his next fixes." He added that while remanded in custody, Bloy has dried out from alcohol and has stopped taking drugs. Mr

Cornberg said: "He is not on a drug-free wing but has avoided temptation." He said that while in prison, he has done his theory test to become a bus driver. JOIN OUR COURT &

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