A FURIOUS family has slammed a conman who stole thousands of pounds from a grieving widow just weeks after her husband died.

Jamie Mody, 30, who lives with his parents in a gated community in Kings Place, Loughton, was this week given a suspended prison sentence after admitting stealing around £11,000 from 59-year-old Marianne Graydon by promising to help her with her debts.

Mody, who was in a relationship with Mrs Graydon's daughter at the time, conned his way to the money in the aftermath of the sudden death of her husband Timothy from a heart attack in December 2003.

Mrs Graydon's son Danny, 35, who alerted police after discovering the fraud, said: “Only an absolute monster would have no problem ripping off a widow so soon after their bereavement and Mody is undoubtedly that.

“She trusted him because he was my sister’s boyfriend, but Mody betrayed that trust by brutally manipulating her extreme vulnerability for his own financial gain.

“Beneath his charming exterior is a born liar with no moral scruples whatsoever.”

Mody took nearly £16,000 from Mrs Graydon and pledged to give it to a debt consolidation company - but kept most of the cash for himself.

Mrs Graydon, of Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, was herself seriously ill with nerve damage at the time.

Danny Graydon added: “The bottom line is that Mody comes from an exceedingly privileged background and had no need to resort to such acts of fraud and theft, but was driven by a bloody-minded sense of greed and entitlement.”

“We are all very pleased it's been finally resolved. We've waited for this for a long time. Now we look forward to getting on with our lives.”

Mody was sentenced for theft at St Albans Crown Court to a total of 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and will have to wear an electronic tag for the next four months.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Mrs Graydon.