A retired lawyer known as the Tiger of the City* was harassed by homeless men into handing over £80,000 over a 20 year period.

81-year-old Sylvia Moynihan, who built a formidable reputation working at firms including Withers and Lovells during her City law career, was visited repeatedly this year by Tom Lonsdale. He persuaded her to give him £1,690, saying he needed the money for tools, and £300 to visit his mother's grave in Scotland. He actually spent the money on booze and drugs.

When he was jailed for seven weeks after admitting one count of harassment at City of London Magistrates Court, Lonsdale said, "I was astonished when I read my convictions had gone over 50. I couldn't really believe it". He was also ordered to pay back Moynihan from his benefits at a rate of £20 per month, as well as £115 victim surcharge. Which means she'll be all square in eight years. Lonsdale was barred from visiting her address or contacting her by any means.

The Tiger, with a book by probably a different Tom Lonsdale

Moynihan told the Daily Mail that she was first targeted more than 20 years ago when she became a widow. "They all come for me because I'm on my own", she said, describing how the first conman found out where she lived after offering to help with her shopping. He extracted £50,000 in total. Moynihan said, "he lied to me and said he had an inheritance coming and would pay me back",  but, "all along he was a homeless man living in a hostel up the road. It wasn't true at all". The man subsequently gave her details to friends at a St Mungos shelter, telling them she was "a soft touch". He has never been caught.

Moynihan said, 'I'm never going to be got like that again", adding, "I have a very good policeman looking after me now".

*Known to the Daily Mail as the Tiger of the City. Known to everyone else as Sylvia. Actually, looking at the photo, that's more a leopard, isn't it. Or a cheetah. No, a leopard actually or maybe a Dalmation. Anyway, not a tiger is the point.