British 28-stone conman, 74, is spared jail because he is so fat prison staff would struggle to get him out of bed
- A judge at Southampton Crown Court said jail staff would struggle to get 28-stone Barry Beardall out of bed in the morning
- Judge Henry said the 74-year-old’s size and ill-health, meant he would need carers to help him out of bed and give him medication
- The judge said jailing him would cause ‘enormous disruption’ for the prison service
A conman has been spared prison because he is too fat.
Jail staff would have problems looking after 28-stone Barry Beardall – including getting him out of bed, the judge said.
Judge Peter Henry said because of the 74-year-old’s size and ill-health, he needed carers to help him out of bed and give him medication.
Jail staff would have problems looking after 28-stone Barry Beardall (pictured in 2011) – including getting him out of bed, the judge at Southampton Crown Court said yesterday
The judge at Southampton Crown Court said jailing him would cause ‘enormous disruption’ for the prison service.
Prosecutor Graham Gilbert said the conman’s victim, John Ryan, had invested in shares through a Dubai-based company in 2016.
He was subsequently told the firm was in trouble and he should transfer his money out – and at least £2,360 went into Beardall’s account.
Pictured: A general view of Southampton Crown Court. The judge at Southampton Crown Court said jailing Beardall would cause ‘enormous disruption’ for the prison service
Beardall, of Ringwood, Hampshire, initially said he was unaware of the fraud.
But in court this week he pleaded guilty and was given a 12-month prison term suspended for two years.
He was told to pay Mr Ryan £2,500 in compensation.