An accountant has been jailed for more than five years for conning a man with learning difficulties out of his Harrogate home and more than £30,000 of savings.

Sukhdev Singh, 73 spent the money within a fortnight on expensive jewellery, gambling, bank transfers to accounts he held in India, private school tuition fees and other domestic spending.

Singh persuaded his vulnerable victim into signing over his inherited £300,000 family home in an up-market location in Harrogate. He also made a sustained and determined but failed attempt to have the title deeds to the victim’s inherited Spanish holiday home fraudulently transferred to himself.

Today, detectives who led the investigation said Singh displayed astounding levels of arrogance, remaining unrepentant throughout his trial for what amounted to be a sickening and callous series of frauds perpetrated against a vulnerable victim.

The man Singh targeted, who has not been named to protect his identity, is in his 50s. But a psychologist who assessed him confirmed his mental capacity to be that of a 12-year-old, someone clearly vulnerable to potential exploitation.

Singh convinced the victim to let his sole trader accountancy business, SS Singh & Co, receive and hold his savings subsequent to the death of his parents some years earlier.

Offshore accounts

Singh, of Chelwood Drive, Moor Allerton in Leeds, had learned of all the assets owned by the victim which had been bequeathed to him by his parents.

These assets included the property in Harrogate, an apartment in Spain and tens of thousands of pounds in offshore savings accounts held with banks based in Gibraltar and Jersey.

By 2016, Singh had transferred the victim’s Harrogate house into the ownership of a company owned and controlled by himself; namely SS and SK Lalli Ltd.

The Land Registry title of the property was thereafter held in the name of SS & SK Lalli Ltd, which appeared to show a purchase price paid during the transaction. However, there was in fact no exchange of funds from Singh to pay for the house, which resulted in him obtaining the house for no payment whatsoever.

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During the same year, Singh travelled to Gibraltar with the victim where he persuaded him to close his savings account and transfer the balance of more than £34,000 into the UK bank account of SS Singh & Co held by Mr. Singh. The victim was led to believe that Singh would look after these funds on his behalf.

Singh then spent the whole of the £34,000 over the following two weeks on jewellery, gambling transactions, transfers to bank accounts held by Singh in India and other personal domestic spending.

From 2016 onwards, the victim continued to live at the Harrogate property, but had unwittingly become the tenant of Singh’s company without so much as a tenancy agreement to protect him.

The crooked accountant then suggested to the man that he could move from his home address into a flat. Had this happened, Singh would have been free to treat the house as his own.

In the meantime Singh made attempts to ‘help’ the victim to close his Jersey-based savings account and to transfer the account funds into the business account of SS Singh & Co. The police investigation was able to prevent this from happening.

Singh also met with an official in Spain and tried to arrange for the victim’s inherited holiday home to be signed over to him. Fortunately, it failed at the eleventh hour as officials became suspicious when Singh could not provide proof that the purchase funds had been paid to the victim.

The defendant created a series of documents containing false statements to support the frauds.

Citizen’s Advice raises concerns

By 2019, the victim’s Harrogate property had fallen into a significant state of disrepair and he approached the local Citizen’s Advice bureau for help.

This started a chain of events whereby Citizens Advice raised concerns with social services. Singh had let the home deteriorate so much that environmental health teams were brought in.

They became suspicious of the title transfer of the victim’s Harrogate home, and reported their suspicions to North Yorkshire Police’s economic crime unit in 2019.

The force’s specialist economic crime detectives began a long and complicated investigation that would ultimately see Singh arrested in July of that year, and the victim’s remaining assets were secured.

Singh was eventually charged with four counts of fraud, all relating to the one victim. During his trial, Singh refused to accept any wrongdoing and claimed he had acted entirely in the victim’s interests and had merely followed his instructions. Singh attempted to portray his victim as a shrewd and articulate man.

However, a jury didn’t believe Singh and found him guilty of all counts on 13th April this year. After the verdict he was remanded into custody.

A judge at York Crown Court today jailed Sukhdev Singh for five years and six months.

‘Sickening and callous series of frauds’

After the sentence, former Detective Constable Ian Sharp, who led the investigation for North Yorkshire Police’s economic crime unit said:

“Sukhdev Singh had been an associate of the victim’s deceased parents, and had full knowledge of his learning difficulties. He is a manipulative fraudster who displayed a callous lack of empathy for his vulnerable victim. He exploited these vulnerabilities for his own advantage in order to systematically asset-strip him.

“Singh has behaved in an arrogant, deceitful way throughout and appears to have no remorse whatsoever for his crimes.

“It was a truly sickening and callous series of frauds committed against someone who should have been able to trust an accountant to act in his best financial interests.

“Once the case had been brought to the attention of North Yorkshire Police, the force’s economic crime unit was able to safeguard the victim’s remaining assets, and to protect him. The fraudulent transfer of the victim’s Harrogate home has been reversed, and we will now pursue a Proceeds of Crime order against this defendant to confiscate his ill-gotten gains and from this compensate the victim for his lost inheritance.

“While this can’t change the facts of the ordeal he suffered at Singh’s hands, I hope it provides him with some comfort and security.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the agencies who played a significant part in bringing Singh to justice and in safeguarding the victim, particularly Harrogate Citizen’s Advice Bureau who first raised the alarm, also North Yorkshire County Council social workers and the environmental health team.”

Four men have been arrested in an operation targeting suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate.

The action follows an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit into a gang suspected of bringing cocaine and cannabis into Harrogate and the surrounding area.

Warrants were carried out across Harrogate yesterday afternoon when the men were arrested and officers seized suspected cocaine, bulking agent, cannabis, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia.

The arrested men include one aged 22, from London, one aged 34 from Portsmouth, and two aged 37 and 40 from Harrogate. All four were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The 22-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

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The 34-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and the 37-year-old also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce class B drugs.

All four remain in police custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Fionna McEwan, of North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit, said:

“The latest action follows six months of painstaking information gathering behind the scenes.

“This work is not always visible but I can assure local people that we continue to work hard to disrupt organised crime and relentlessly pursue those believed to be involved.

“If you suspect drug dealing in your neighbourhood, or you believe someone is being exploited, please don’t hesitate to make a report to us in confidence, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers. Every piece of information, no matter how small, helps to inform a bigger picture.”

Reporting information about drugs

Anyone with any information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police say the signs of drug dealing can include:

Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
Anti-social behaviour at a property
Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods
Get help for drug and alcohol addiction

North Yorkshire Police is holding a public meeting in Ripon this month to talk about its plans to tackle crime in the city.

There are longstanding concerns about persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in Ripon, with problems particularly prevalent during summer.

At the community engagement meeting on May 16, police will spell out how they plan to address the issues.

A police social media post said the meeting will “share with you the current crime statistics and trends for your wards, provide you with an operational overview of how your area is currently policed and also tell you about the proposed plans for the future”.

It added:

“The purpose of this meeting is to ensure your voice is heard with regards to how your community is policed.

“By voicing your concerns direct to us you will enable North Yorkshire Police to target and tailor our resources and plans to better meet your needs and prevent issues or escalation in your community.

“This is an open invite to all local residents, concerned people and partners agencies that are concerned in community support to come along and provide your perspective.”

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The post added that people will “be invited to highlight any community issues, tensions or criminality that are affecting you”.

Inspector Alex Langley, from the Ripon neighbourhoods policing team, will chair the meeting, which will take place from 8pm to 9pm at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre on Dallamires Lane.

Underage drinking crackdown

In March, police announced Ripon had joined 240 locations in the country designated as a Community Alcohol Partnerships area.

These partnerships see police work with retailers, schools, neighbourhood groups, Trading Standards, local authorities and other emergency and health services to reduce alcohol problems.

As part of the initiative, retailers are assessed by Trading Standards and police to check they are not selling alcohol to children.

A woman has suffered serious leg injuries in a four-car collision near the entrance to Lightwater Valley Adventure Park.

The incident happened at the theme park on the A6108 near Ripon at around 4.35pm on Saturday, April 30. It involved a white BMW estate, a blue BMW, a grey Audi, a grey Mercedes Benz and a silver Suzuki car.

The woman, in the grey Audi, is receiving treatment at hospital. Other drivers and passengers received treatment for minor injuries.

The road remained closed until 8.20pm while the emergency services worked at the scene and carried out a full collision investigation.

North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw the collision or recalls seeing any of the vehicles prior to the incident to get in touch. Officers are also appealing for any dash-cam footage that could assist with the investigation.

To offer information, email ben.prosser-waite@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Ben Prosser-Waite.

The reference number is 12220073181.

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A Knaresborough teenager has been ordered to do 300 hours of community work after pleading guilty to having a knife in Harrogate bar Mojo.

Arterus Moisejevas, 19, was accused of having a flick knife in the venue on Parliament Street on April 10.

Moisejevas, of Colebrooke Meadows, admitted the charge at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was also ordered to pay a £95 surcharge to fund victim services and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

His case is one of a spate of recent knife crime offences heard in court in Harrogate recently.

Harrogate Pubwatch revealed on Thursday that it had imposed a life ban on someone found carrying a knife in a town centre venue.

The organisation represents about 40 licensed venues in town. Members share information on troublemakers and jointly impose sanctions.

Sadly we have had to impose a lifetime ban on someone found to be carrying a knife in one of our town centre venues a couple of weekends ago. The possession of weapons in Harrogate's pubs, clubs and bars simply won't be tolerated #Harrogate

— Harrogate Pubwatch (@hgpubwatch) April 27, 2022

Police: knives produce ‘false sense of security’

Asked whether knife crime in the Harrogate district was increasing and, if so, what action it was taking, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Carrying a knife is a completely false sense of security. Producing a knife does not de-escalate a confrontation, it makes a bad situation worse and drastically increases the chance of you yourself being injured by that blade.

“As part of our efforts to tackle knife crime, we support Operation Sceptre, which is a twice-yearly national coordinated week of activity where police forces across the country help keep knives off the streets and deter people from carrying them, and through information and intelligence, proactively target knife-related offences.

“In July last year, changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 were introduced which mean it is an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private.

“To anyone who is concerned for a friend or family member who they think maybe carrying a knife, please speak to them and explain the dangers. Tell them the safer and smarter thing to do is to put the knife down or come and surrender it at one of our police stations. You could be saving a life.

“Anyone with information on knife crime in their local community can always contact police on 101 or can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after 64 sheep were stolen from a field near Boroughbridge.

Forty-eight ewes in lamb and 16 hoggs were taken from land off the A168 at Marton-cum-Grafton.

It happened between 5pm on April 27 and 7am the following day.

A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said the sheep were worth a total value of tens of thousands of pounds. It added:

“They were stolen from a field on Legram Lane. It is believed a wagon would have been used to take the sheep.

“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, they are appealing for information about any wagons in the vicinity in the early hours of 28 April, or anything else that may assist with the investigation.”

Of the 48 ewes, 39 are Beltex and 9 are Bleu du Maine. The 16 hoggs were all young Beltex sheep aged 9-18 months.

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Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Chloe Kinnear. You can also email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220071650.

West Yorkshire Police has said it has serious concerns for the welfare of a missing Leeds man who may have travelled to Harrogate.

Bede Chapman, 32, from Armley in Leeds, is described as being slim and 6 ft tall. He was wearing a chequered jacket, blue jeans and black boots.

It’s possible he may have made or is currently making his way to Harrogate in a black Renault Twingo with a registration plate beginning LG58.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact police in Leeds on 101 or by using the LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

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Two Harrogate brothers who failed to turn up in court are wanted by North Yorkshire Police.

Robbie Nelson, 23, failed to appear in court after being charged with animal cruelty.

His older brother Charlie Nelson, 27, failed to appear in court for sentencing after being convicted of animal cruelty.

Warrants have been issued for their arrests by York Magistrates’ Court.

Police said in a statement today that they believed the men are in the Harrogate area and “enquiries have been ongoing to locate them”.

They added that if you have seen either of them or have any info about where they could be, call 101, quoting reference number 12210262539

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A man has been given a £324 fine for headbutting a police officer as he tried to arrest him.

Paul Stephen Turner, 47, of Albany Road, Harrogate, had pleaded guilty in February to the charge.

Acting for him in court today, Sonia Bhalla, of Watson Woodhouse solicitors, said Mr Turner had suffered a head injury when he was assaulted by three men with a baseball bat several years before, which still affected his actions and judgement.

Turner had been watching a documentary about fake police officers on August 18 last year when police officers knocked at his door and attempted to arrest him in relation to a separate allegation against him.

During the arrest, Turner headbutted one of the officers, PC Ryan Rudd, causing pain to one of his teeth. Turner later said he had not done so deliberately, but the process of the arrest had caused severe pain in his feet, where he had a pre-existing injury.

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A carer for his disabled father, the court heard Turner had 26 previous convictions for 52 offences, but none of a similar nature to the charge of assaulting a police officer. Ms Bhalla added:

“At 47 years of age, he has not been in trouble with the courts for a very, very long time. His last conviction was in 2011.”

Magistrates said they did not impose the maximum sentence for assaulting a police officer because the injuries appeared to be minimal, with no follow-up treatment required.

As well as the fine, magistrates ordered Turner to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £200.

Police have been dealing with an incident in Harrogate this evening after a number of people were reported to have been attacked.

Officers were called to the area near the parade of shops on West Park, close to the junction with Tower Street, where witnesses said a man had attempted to mug several people.

A local resident called police after hearing one of the victims screaming for help on West Park.

Two police cars, two vans and an ambulance were at the scene shortly after 7pm.

The Stray Ferret understands a man has been arrested. We will update this story when more information is available.

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