A woman has been jailed after defrauding an ‘extremely vulnerable man’ out of nearly £5,000.

Jenna Lauren Wright, also known as Jenna Lauren Laing, set up three online accounts in the name of her victim and racked up spending to the value of £4,721.26.

Wright, whose address was given as Courtlands Road, Portland, appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, December 9 for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

The court heard Wright, 38, knew her victim by way of a family friendship dating back to 2017. Between February 17 and April 6, 2021, Wright opened three accounts for various retailers in the name of her victim.

It was said that Wright often stayed at the home of the victim and his family and ordered parcels to the victim’s address. She would open them in front of the victim’s mother in which there would be clothes, shoes and jewellery.

The fraud came to light when, in August 2021, the victim received a letter from Very and was told he owed the retailer over £700.

The victim’s mother was informed that the account had been set up using her son’s name, date of birth, address but with a mobile number that they recognised belonged to Wright.

Her victim, a vulnerable man with ‘extreme autism and anxiety’ said he finds it difficult to trust people now and fears they may take advantage of him in a similar way.

In a statement read to court, he said: “I am still feeling the effects of this. When Jenna created the accounts she racked up a tremendous amount of debt. Although I reported the fraud to the police I’m still being chased by a debt collection agency.

“I find (it) extremely stressful, when my anxiety peaks I find myself hiding indoors.”

The court heard Wright had previous convictions for fraud related offences including, on one occasion, making transactions to the value of £2,100 on the card of a family member.

Wright was jailed for 15 months - 14 months for fraud and one month for committing a further offence whilst subject to a suspended sentence.

  • The Echo asked Dorset Police for a custody photo but was told the force didn’t have one.