Senior member of Tyrone credit union stole £300k from members

A former senior member of a Tyrone credit union was jailed today for defrauding members of more than £300,000.

Andrew Deans, who is 80 years-old and from the Waterside area of Derry, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and theft at North Tyrone Credit Union, and was given a two year sentence, half to be served in custody and half on licence, at Dungannon Crown Court.

The complex investigation into Deans’ offending was led by the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department.

Concerns were raised by a shareholder of Dunamanagh-based credit union who discovered a significant sum of money had been withdrawn from their account by Deans without their knowledge or permission.

Many of Deans’ victims were aged over 70 and the money he stole from them was their long-term savings.

Deans was arrested by police in July 2023 and charged with offences in January 2024.

Criminal Investigation Department Detective Inspector Gordon Hanbidge said Deans knew many of his victims personally.

“In many cases, he was friends with them for over 20 years, some for even longer, and he used several methods to defraud them,” he said.

“When shareholders gave him money to lodge into their accounts, he kept it, never recording it officially on the Credit Union system. He withdrew money from shareholders’ accounts without their permission, forging signatures and using fraudulent documentation.

“He took out loans in shareholders’ names without their knowledge or permission. He was able to take most of the withdrawals and loans in cash and also move the money between shareholders’ accounts to attempt to hide missing funds.

“Deans was trusted implicitly to safeguard money shareholders’ gave him. He saw no wrong in his actions. He abused his position – as a friend and in his trusted role within the Credit Union – to betray his victims in the most despicable and calculating way. His actions were beyond brazen.

“The victims have all got their money back, which is at last of some comfort and relief for them.

“But it should never have happened in the first place, and Deans’ actions have caused immeasurable hurt to the Credit Union and to the shareholders impacted. Trust was used and abused, which is reprehensible.”

One of the shareholders impacted, and who knew Deans for more than 20 years, described him as ‘the ultimate conman’.

Detective Inspector Hanbidge added: “I want to thank the victims for their patience, dignity and co-operation with what has been a complex investigation. I also want to thank colleagues from our Economic Crime Unit who assisted us as we worked our way through the investigation.

“To anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar crime, I would encourage you to tell us what has happened. We are here to help, and we will investigate and do all we can to put offenders before the court.”