A CONMAN stole bank cards and ID from gym users before posing as them at banks to withdraw thousands of pounds from their accounts.

Darren Morris, from Willenhall in Coventry, stole from health clubs across the Midlands, plus Manchester, Leeds and Swindon during a £40,000 crime spree from February to May last year.

He admitted 14 counts of fraud and was jailed for three years and three months at Coventry Crown Court on Friday (February 3).

Morris also asked for the court to take into account a further 12 similar crimes and would have served a longer sentence had he not owned up to them, the judge said.

A Coventry Police Sergeant had recognised the 42-year-old from CCTV recovered from one gym and officers arrested him last September near his home address in Bridgecote.

His only con in Coventry took place at the Village Hotel, when he stole Lloyds TSB and Coventry Building Society cards from a locker.

He attempted to withdraw cash over the counter at two branches of the Coventry Building Society but was refused after failing security questions. However, he managed to get away with £900 from a bank in Chelyesmore.

Investigating officer, PC Celia Wood said many victims only realised their cards were missing days after Morris had already struck.

“Morris would often only take a solitary bank card and driver’s licence, leaving behind other cards, cash and valuables so as not to arouse suspicion immediately and give him more time to carry out the fraud.

“His tactic was to try and persuade bank staff there was a problem with the cards, he was unable to use ATMs, and needed to take money out over the counter.”