Two officers who secured convictions against a man who had been threatening elderly and vulnerable residents of a licensed retirement park have been commended for their work by the Chief Constable.
Police Constable Mark Christie and Police Community Support Officer Graham Kirkpatrick identified that residents at Orton Grange Residential Park near Dalston were being harassed by the then park owner - James Robert Welch. Welch had previous convictions for exploitation and high value fraud, which resulted in a Proceeds of Crime (Recovery) Order against him.
Whilst investigating, they had to gain the trust of many people from a generation who often don’t speak out, the officers were tenacious and gained the park residents’ trust to secure evidence against the owner.
As well as securing convictions against Welch, after he admitted harassment and using threats to intimidate residents at the retirement park, the officers were then able to work in partnership and apply to the council to have his Park Owners License removed, which effectively forced the sale of the site and caused him to leave the county.
Working with colleagues in the North-East Regional Crime Unit led to a financial investigation which saw Welch had outstanding Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) payments totalling more than £78,000.
As a result of the officers’ actions, at the point of the residential parks sale, Welch’s bank accounts were frozen and he was left with no option but repay the entire amount owed.
The officers were nominated for a Chief Constable's Commendation by Inspector Peter Aiston. He said: "The officers saw that elderly and vulnerable people were being mistreated and were relentless in their pursuit of the man responsible.
"In order to secure a conviction they went above and beyond to ensure victims felt comfortable in sharing their experiences.
"Their outstanding work not only resulted in the successful safeguarding of a large group of vulnerable people but an offender being held accountable for his actions."