Nottingham polygraph used in theft case

A Nottingham polygraph could have been used to help police in a theft case. A man stole money from elderly residents in his community, here is the story.

The case

A ‘career criminal’ with a long history of conning elderly victims out of money has been jailed for more than ten years. Liam Schneider, 46, had been preying on the elderly and vulnerable for much of the last decade. Schneider had been asking to borrow money that he had no intention of repaying.

Schneider has multiple convictions for theft and fraud. He came to police attention again after a string of similar offences at the start of 2021. On one occasion at a sheltered housing facility in New Basford, he pushed an 86-year-old woman to the ground. He came barging uninvited into her flat and grabbed her handbag.

Stealing cash

After taking a small amount of cash during the incident on March 9, he fled the scene. Over the previous three months, Schneider had also targeted several other elderly and vulnerable victims in local sheltered housing facilities. He mostly asked for money to pay for electricity.

After falsely promising to pay the money back, he was successful in taking cash on at least four occasions. During one of these offences, he followed another 86-year-old woman into her home and pressured her into giving him money. After being offered £20 he then reached into her purse for more.

Police interview

Schneider, who was arrested on March 11 in Nottingham, admitted to going door-to-door trying to con money out of people. He wanted the money to fund his heroin addiction. He denied deliberately targeting elderly and vulnerable people.

Between 2010 and 2019 Schneider served eight different prison sentences. The sentences were in various parts of the country for offences including burglary, theft and fraud. He was also caught on CCTV at the scene of two offences.

Schneider later pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and five counts of fraud in relation to the offences in Basford. He also pleaded guilty to a further 16 fraud offences and two burglaries committed in Derbyshire.

Crown court hearing

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, March 25, he was jailed for ten years and three months. Detective Constable Tim Townsend, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Schneider is a callous and calculating career criminal. He deliberately targets elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes.

“This kind of behaviour is disgusting and I am pleased he has now been handed a serious jail sentence”.

Distress and suffering for victims

“Schneider has had multiple chances to change his ways. He knew exactly what he was doing when he committed the offences. In the case of the robbery, he was fortunate not to cause serious injury to his victim who suffered a huge amount of distress as a result”.

“I am grateful to the officers who worked quickly to track him down and find justice.”

Schneider’s case was dealt with by one of two specialist burglary teams at Nottingham Police.

Justice is done

Detective Inspector Kayne Rukas of Nottingham police added: “I hope this sentence will be a reminder to other criminals who prey on vulnerable people. We will track them down, we will bring them to justice and we will see them sent to jail”.

“I would also urge potential victims of these kinds of offences to ring the police immediately. Especially if they are suspicious of somebody who comes to their home uninvited”.

“The safety and security of our elderly residents is extremely important to us. Every bit of information we receive helps us to put people like Schneider away in prison”.

Prey on the vulnerable

Detective Inspector Kayne Rukas added: “I hope this very significant jail sentence will also serve as a reminder to other criminals who prey on vulnerable people. We will track them down, we will bring them to justice and we will see them sent to jail.

“I would also urge potential victims of these kinds of offences to ring the police immediately if they are suspicious of somebody who comes to their home uninvited.

“The safety and security of our elderly residents is extremely important to us and every bit of information we receive helps us to put people like Schneider away in prison.”

How a polygraph test could have helped

Victims of fraud and theft by criminals are asking Police to conduct more polygraph tests at interrogation stages. Since police have put new measures in place to conduct lie detector tests on sex-offenders and abusers, crime rates have plummeted. Communities feel safer knowing abusers and offenders are now subject to regular polygraph testing as part of release terms. The same applies for communities in regards to criminals of fraud and theft.

If you suspect someone is a victim of fraud or has stolen from someone then book a test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.

We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout the East Midlands.