Man jailed for fraud in Ascot
He conned single mother out of her life savings
A man has been sentenced after he was convicted of fraud offences in Ascot.
Darren John Crane, aged 56, formerly of Tall Trees Leisure Park, Gull Road, Cambridgeshire who is also known as Darren Palmer, was sentenced to four years’ and four months in jail.
He was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday 6 February, after he pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation and engaging in trade while bankrupt, contrary to the Insolvency Act 1986.
The sentencing relates to crimes which took place between June 2021 and December 2021 in Ascot.
Crane persuaded a single mother with two children and her family to invest ÂŁ171,000 in his company.
This was the family’s life savings, as well as large loans the Crane persuaded the woman to take out.
Crane convinced these victims that he was an experienced trader in precious metals and gold guaranteeing them large returns.
However he lost the money through trading, gambling and funding a luxury lifestyle.
He also obtained credit from lenders without informing the lenders that he was bankrupt, which was also illegal.
Crane was charged in November 2023 after an investigation was launched in April 2022.
Devastated
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kara Reed of our Economic Crime Unit, said: “Crane is a dishonest individual and I am pleased he has been sentenced for his crimes.
“His actions have devastated a family and taken their life savings and left them in a very difficult situation.
“I would like to thank the victims in this case for reporting to us and also supporting our investigation through what has been a very difficult time for them.
“I hope this case shows that fraud is taken seriously and we will investigate and bring people like Crane to justice.”