A scheming Bournemouth man who tried to con his family out of their share of his dead brother's estate narrowly escaped being sent to prison yesterday.

Kitchen porter William Dean, 58, of Cunningham Crescent, Kinson, had earlier admitted obtaining £13,727.97 insurance money by deception.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Paul Hester described how Dean devised his plan after discovering his brother Robin had died in Australia, leaving two insurance policies.

"He claimed he was his brother's sole surviving next of kin and therefore entitled to his estate, sending photographs of his father's and sister's graves and a memorial card in respect of his mother.

"In good faith his solicitor forwarded all the papers and photographs to solicitors in Australia and his brother's insurance company was satisfied he was the sole beneficiary of the estate."

Dean paid his ex-wife £1,000 and put the rest of the money into a building society account.

The scam came to light after Dean and his former wife fell out and he was arrested on January 30 this year.

Defending, Miss Isobell Gillard said the offence was "completely out of character".

She continued: "When he received the money it was more than he expected.

"Realising the enormity of what he had done he put it in the building society and did not touch it.

"He is very sorry for what he has done."

Sentencing Dean, Judge John Beashell said: "This was a planned and deliberate offence and in many ways you deserve to go to prison immediately for such gross dishonesty.

"But monies can be repaid and prisons are full to over-crowding - it has been a close run thing."

He ordered Dean to complete 200 hours community service and to compensate his brothers and sisters.