Man jailed for defrauding victims out of £190,000 in Dorset and beyond
Simon John Turner, 49, will serve 10 years in prison
A man has been jailed for 10 years after defrauding his victims out of £190,000.
Simon John Turner, 49, of Reading, was living at a caravan park in Weymouth in late 2018 when he befriended a man aged in his 60s who lived alone.
In April 2019, the site was under redevelopment and Turner and the victim needed to purchase new caravans in order to remain living there.
Turner told the victim that he had secured a deal to purchase two caravans at a discounted price, costing the victim £60,000.
The victim made a number of payments to Turner, totalling £53,046, before finding out in November 2019 that the defendant never made any payment to the site owner, meaning the victim lost his place of residence.
In a separate incident from March 2019, Turner misled two other victims, claiming they could purchase caravans in Weymouth through him.
The victims paid £76,239 for the caravan and decking and security lighting, which Turner said he would install for them.
One of the victims contacted the site and spoke to the owner who informed them that the invoices they had been provided were fake and there was no caravan for them.
On Wednesday 19 November 2025 Turner pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation. In February 2026, Turner failed to appear at court for sentencing and he was later located and arrested in Hampshire.
Turner was remanded in custody and sentenced to 10 years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday 22 April 2026 for the Dorset fraud offences, as well as further frauds he had committed in the Swindon and Reading areas.
Detective Constable Mark Walsh, of Dorset Police, said: “Turner befriended his victims and made dishonest promises to invest their money, but instead profited over £190,000 for himself.
“His deception has had a long-lasting impact on all of the victims affected. One of the victims had their life savings taken by Turner, described it as robbing them of their past, present and future.
“Another of the victims is having to work past their retirement due to the financial loss caused at the hands of Turner.
“He acted callously and was only out to make money for himself, using charm to win over his victims and make them believe that he was genuine.
“I would like to thank the victims for their continued support during this complex and lengthy investigation, and I am pleased that Dorset Police was able to seek justice for them and ensure Turner was held to account.”