Liverpool conman strikes in Melrose

And evil John Read has already chalked up his first local victim.

Frail Edna Glennon from Melrose was duped by Read and a female accomplice during a harrowing fortnight.

The 90-year-old widow, who suffers from various health issues, was talked into accepting a visit from a rising chair salesman over the phone by a woman called Sue.

Read arrived at her Priorwood Court home the following day - and proceeded to talk the former Ministry of Information and Edinburgh University employee out of almost £1300.

Mrs Glennon told the Border Telegraph: “I am ashamed of myself and can’t believe I wrote out a cheque for £1295.

“I have little recollection of what happened when he was here or in the days after. I remember him saying that I should pay the amount in full and to leave the cheque blank.

“He told me he’d been relocated to the Borders by his company and spoke with a strong Liverpool accent.” Read’s con was almost disturbed as the manager of Priorwood Court arrived at Mrs Glennon’s apartment.

But the 54-year-old, who was convicted of 27 charges of fraud and breaching the consumer protection act last year in his native Liverpool, made a quick exit.

Over the following 10 days he called Mrs Glennon with a series of delaying tactics.

Edna, who is still recovering from a recent stroke, continued: “He phoned me to say I’d given him two cheques by mistake and that he’d return one - which did come through the post.

“He phoned three days later to say that he had some material samples that he thought I would like for my chair.

“I think it was another two days later when he phoned to say that he was going to get me back £295 from the price.

“The police believe it was all a ploy as my cheque had been cashed within four days of his first visit.” Mrs Glennon’s son, Roy, who is a retired banker from Edinburgh, was informed of the ongoing chair saga.

And he quickly concluded it was a con and traced John Read’s dodgy past through the internet.

Edna said: “We got in touch with the police and the bank. He was using his real name and he gave me a telephone number which is now 'not available’.

“Out of the blue he phoned me again - I hadn’t heard anything for two weeks - to say that my chair would be delivered on September 21. My shoulders were shaking, I couldn’t use my hands and I felt physically destroyed. I told the community policeman and he said that he was just trying to buy time.

“I have worked all of my life and always put others first - I find it hard to believe that people can do this.” Edna grew up in London where her elder sister shared a classroom with the Forces Sweetheart, Vera Lynn. She survived 187 continuous nights of bombing in her East Ham home during the war.

But her beloved brother and her first love, who she had married, as well as two close cousins were all killed within a terrible week during active service.

Mrs Glennon added: “I lost the brother I did everything with, the love of my life, my unborn baby and so many other special people.

“I did all of my crying in 1944 - I have no tears left.

“I have been through a lot in my life but I’ve never suffered such degradation as what has happened these last few weeks.” Edna worked for the Ministry of Information in and around London.

After remarrying and having her son, she relocated to Edinburgh where she was employed within the Medical School of Edinburgh University.

Upon retiring, and after a brief spell in Brighton, Mr and Mrs Glennon were amongst the first tenants of Priorwood sheltered housing in Melrose.

She nursed her husband during his final years, and has been active within Melrose as part of the church choir and guild.

Police confirmed that they are still attempting to track down Read.

And they issued a warning to other pensioners.

Local Community Inspector Tony Hodges said: “Officers are looking into the circumstances surrounding this matter but I would like to remind people, especially the elderly, to be wary of uninvited callers, telephone calls and letters tempting you to part with your hard earned money.

“If you are looking for a service or to make a purchase, speak with a reputable local firm or business first or have a friend or relative research things on the internet if you are thinking of using a company from out with the area.

“If in doubt, don’t commit to anything until you have spoken with someone you trust.” John Read, who operated from the Merseyside town of Prescot, was sentenced to 18 months in prison last August after leaving behind a trail of duped pensioners in and around Liverpool.

He was also ordered to pay back a total of £7,825 to seven victims and £10,550 costs to Knowsley and Liverpool councils, who had brought the prosecution.