A CRUEL conman targeted a 92-year-old west Cumbrian war veteran, repeatedly lying to him so he could clean out his bank accounts.

Scott Hanson, 35, extracted £27,000 from his victim.

The pensioner, a trusting church-goer from Cockermouth, said he saw it as his Christian duty to help Hanson because he seemed to be in desperate need.

But Hanson cynically exploited the man after meeting him in a local church.

The pensioner offered to support Hanson, who claimed he was down on his luck.

But the reality was that the defendant had a powerful gambling addiction, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Over three months Hanson lied about his situation – claiming he needed cash for a deposit for a flat – and then the bullied and threatened his victim.

In court today, Hanson, of Tempest Road, Hartlepool, admitted fraud.

He was jailed for 30 months.

Passing sentence, Judge James Adkin told the defendant: “You committed a mean offence when he gained the trust of a 92-year-old man who took pity on you.

“Between August 19, 2018, and October 25, you manipulated him, and occasionally bullied him and he paid over to you £27,000.

“You lied about the fact that you were down on your luck and impoverished.”

The victim had been left sick with worry, said the judge.

The defendant, who appeared before the court via a video link, showed no emotion.

But his defence lawyer Chris Evans said the root of his offending was his addiction to gambling.

“He accepts he was dishonest and expressed his remorse,” said Mr Evans, adding that the defendant was determined to seek to beat his addiction.