Man who defrauded “decent, honest” friend out of over £13,000 avoids jail

Saying Knocker “exploited her decency and good heart”, the Judge branded his offending as “nasty, mean and pre-meditated”

A Co Tyrone man who defrauded his “decent, honest” friend out of over £13,000 avoided immediate custody today (Friday) for the “mean and nasty” offence.

Eamonn Noel Knocker appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he was handed a 16-month sentence, which was suspended for three years, by Judge Neil Rafferty KC.

The 36-year old, from Ardnasaggart Terrace in Coalisland, admitted a charge of fraud by false representation which spanned over a period from January 1, 2019 to November 30, 2022.

He was ordered to pay back the £13,170 he stole from his female victim and was given four months to make the restitution.

The court heard that during the period of offending, the victim was placed in a position where she regarded herself as responsible for Knocker.

This became a financial responsibility and on at least five occasions Knocker falsely claimed that he needed money to pay fines or he would be sent to jail.

Knocker persuaded the woman to transfer money amounting to £13,170 to pay off what Judge Rafferty branded as “imaginary fines”.

A defence barrister said her client’s offending was of “several years vintage”, that he had not committed any further offences and that he has shown remorse for his behaviour.

She told Judge Rafferty that Knocker suffers from a “multitude of mental health issues”.

Knocker’s barrister also spoke of the £8,500 which her client has already raised to pay back the victim and said the criminality was “out of character” and committed when he was “crippled with mental health issues, grief and addiction.”

When questioned about the nature of the relationship between Knocker and the woman he defrauded, his barrister they had a “great friendship but were not in a relationship.”

A crown barrister told Judge Rafferty that whilst she accepted Knocker suffered from mental health issues, she said he “preyed” on his victim and that his offending was “sustained” and “calculated.”

Judge Rafferty described the victim as a “really decent, honest, compassionate, empathetic human being who was exploited by the defendant.”

Saying Knocker “exploited her decency and good heart”, the Judge branded his offending as “nasty, mean and pre-meditated.”

Regarding Knocker, Judge Rafferty spoke of his “appalling background” which included a childhood blighted by domestic violence and periods of homeless as he got older.

Judge Rafferty also spoke of Knocker’s “significant” mental health problems which he said were not helped by his “addiction background.”

As he sentenced Knocker, Judge Rafferty warned him that if he re-offended in the next three years, he would be returned to court and would be sent to jail.

He also told Knocker “if you stay out of trouble nothing further will happen.”

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