A businessman has been jailed after attempting to steal £150,000 from a 91-year-old man.

Adalat Miah, 44, of Alexander Road, London Colney, was sentenced to 15 months at St Albans Crown Court last Monday (4) after being found guilty at an earlier hearing.

Miah had befriended his elderly victim over a number of years and in late 2014 suggested that the 91 year old, who lives in Watford, buy a share of his furniture and electrical business.

He offered him 20 per cent in exchange for £150,000 - implying the business was worth significantly more than it actually was.

Miah produced a fake ‘partnership agreement’ from the Internet and asked for the cheque to be made out to him directly, rather than the company.

He was caught when a bank manager called the police after becoming suspicious of Miah when he cashed the cheque.

He was arrested on Christmas eve in 2014 and subsequently charged.

Det Cons Tony Bradshaw, from specialist unit Operation Manhunt, said: “Adalat Miah callously preyed on the trusting nature of his elderly and vulnerable victim in an attempt to gain a significant sum of money from him. Thankfully the victim’s bank manager suspected there was a problem and alerted the police.”

If you are concerned about the welfare of an elderly or vulnerable person please contact the police on the non-emergency number 101.