A man who exploited and defrauded a vulnerable elderly couple in West Cornwall has been jailed for five and a half years.

Percival Harris, aged 59, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Thursday (September 12), where he was sentenced for two counts of fraud, two of forgery and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Harris, of Mabe Burnthouse near Falmouth, pleaded not guilty to the offences but a jury found him guilty of five counts in July 2024. He was found not guilty of theft and two counts of conspiracy to create a false instrument.

The court had heard that the victims had created wills in 2015 through a solicitor, naming Harris as one of the executors and leaving a small portion of their estate to him along with other family members.

Following their deaths in 2017 and 2018, the family became aware of discrepancies in the wills provided and noted that the dates didn’t match. Unable to get hold of Harris to deal with the estate, they contacted police to report their concerns.

Detectives established that Harris had himself created amended wills for the victims in 2016, leaving the majority of their estates to himself. He had paid two vulnerable local men a small amount of cash to witness the new documents.

A forensic handwriting expert and financial investigator provided evidence at court in relation to the money and handwriting in the updated wills. Police are now pursuing the recovery of the funds from Harris.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Isabelle Woodall said: “A five-year investigation has concluded with the sentencing of a man who was prepared to exploit the most vulnerable in society for his own financial gain.

“The victims had no children and lived remotely, with no way of knowing the man they believed to be a devoted friend was motivated by greed.

“Having identified their vulnerabilities and earned their trust, Harris contrived to siphon off their assets, netting what remained following their deaths, despite safeguarding measures which should have protected them.”

DC Woodall added: “His endeavours to avoid justice saw no hesitation on Mr Harris’s part to publicly insult the victims’ families and allow another vulnerable person to face the possibility of conviction for his unwitting part in Mr. Harris’s deception.

“The victims’ families are private people who have found the publicity surrounding this case distressing. Their patience and unwavering support have been commendable.”

DC Woodall thanked family members, one of whom didn’t live to see the conclusion, for raising awareness of this exploitative crime for the potential benefit of others.

Those affected by crime are encouraged to call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900, or to visit victimcare-dc.org