Crime, Weymouth | Posted on April 24th, 2026 | return to news

Weymouth fraudster who stole £190,000 jailed

49-year-old Simon John Turner of Reading was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after defrauding several people

A serial fraudster who stole £190,000 from his victims has been jailed.

49-year-old Simon John Turner of Reading defrauded three people out of huge sums of money. One of the victims lost their life savings as a result of the fraud, which they said felt like being robbed of “their past, present and future”.

His crimes began in late 2018 when Turner was living at a caravan park in Weymouth. He befriended a man aged in his 60s who lived alone.

In April 2019, the site was under redevelopment, and Turner and the victim needed to purchase new caravans in order to remain living there.

Turner told the victim that he had secured a deal to purchase two caravans at a discounted price, costing the victim £60,000.

The man made several payments to Turner worth £53,046, but in November 2019 the victim found out that the defendant never made any payment to the site owner, meaning the victim lost his place of residence.

During this time, Turner had also convinced the victim that he would invest some of the victim’s money in a mortgage in order to receive a favourable return when the property was sold. The victim gave Turner an additional £61,025, but no money was ever invested and it was never returned.

Meanwhile, starting in March 2019, Turner met two other people who wanted to purchase a caravan in Weymouth.

He told the victims that the caravans were only for existing residents, but that he could purchase one on their behalf and they could complete the transaction through him.

The victims made a series of payments totalling £76,239 for the caravan, decking and security lighting, which Turner said he would install for them.

But frustrated by the lack of progress, the victims contacted the site’s owner who informed them that the invoices they had been provided were fake and there was no caravan for them.

On Wednesday 19 November 2025, Turner pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation. But in February 2026, Turner failed to appear at court for sentencing.

He was later located and arrested in Hampshire. Turner was remanded in custody and sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday 22 April 2026 for the Dorset fraud offences, as well as further frauds he had committed in the Swindon and Reading areas.

In total, Tuner was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Mark Walsh, of Dorset Police, said: “Turner befriended his victims and made dishonest promises to invest their money, but instead profited over £190,000 for himself.
“His deception has had a long-lasting impact on all of the victims affected. One of the victims who had their life savings taken by Turner, described it as robbing them of their past, present and future.

“Another of the victims is having to work past their retirement due to the financial loss caused at the hands of Turner.

“He acted callously and was only out to make money for himself, using charm to win over his victims and make them believe that he was genuine.

“I would like to thank the victims for their continued support during this complex and lengthy investigation, and I am pleased that Dorset Police was able to seek justice for them and ensure Turner was held to account.”

For advice and information about fraud, and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/.