A FORMER estate agent who conned a retired woman out of more than £20,000 has finally been jailed after a court heard he has failed to repay a single penny.

Thomas Grier, of Wolverton Road in Bournemouth, was initially due to be sentenced last year after admitting two counts of fraud and two of theft. The offences were committed between September 2015 and March 2016 while Grier worked for the McConnell Property Group in Southbourne Grove.

However, a judge deferred the sentence when the defendant said he would begin to repay his victim "immediately". An initial amount of £3,000 in compensation was ordered to be paid within a month.

Despite his promises, Grier, a former Royal Engineer who has served abroad, failed to pay a "single penny". As a result, victim Mary Spetch has had to come out of retirement.

Grier has now been sentenced to nine months in prison.

The 34-year-old met Ms Spetch through his job in July 2014. He made her aware he invested in stock markets and said he could advise her.

He then convinced Ms Spetch to give him money to invest on her behalf. In total, the victim gave him £20,800 over a period of several months.

Grier insisted the money was bringing in returns. However, whenever Ms Spetch asked for statements, he made excuses. She went to police in March 2016 after he ignored requests to return her initial investment.

He carried out the same scam on colleague Jake Street, who lost £250. In addition, he stole a £520 security deposit and £204 paid for a referencing fee by customers.

Timothy Bradbury, mitigating for Grier at Bournemouth Crown Court, said the defendant had planned to begin repaying Ms Spetch. He was then made redundant from his new job at DHS Renewables in Bournemouth.

"He left the court on the last occasion with a certain amount of optimism for the future," Mr Bradbury said.

"His financial circumstances changed dramatically. The money in hand [for Ms Spetch] was used to survive."

Grier "did not simply cock a snook" at the court's order, it was heard.

"He wishes me to assure the court that, whether there is another compensation order or not, he wants to pay this money," Mr Bradbury added.

Judge Brian Forster QC, who deferred sentence last year, said Grier "richly deserved" to be sent to prison.

"I was concerned as one person had lost a significant amount of money," he said.

"The defendant said clearly he had money available at that time. Officers in the case made arrangements to provide details for the money to be transferred.

"I was told I was dealing with a situation where there was money in hand."

Ms Spetch has told of the "traumatic" effect of Grier's offending, the judge said.

Speaking directly to the defendant, Judge Forster said: "Please - when you come out, if you have any decency, try to pay some money to Ms Spetch.

"I am not able to make any compensation order on the basis of your means."