A serial romance fraudster has received an additional 28 months in prison after deceiving another woman and a male friend out of tens of thousands of pounds. Peter Gray, 35, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, had already been serving a 56-month sentence for defrauding four women out of approximately £80,000. His latest conviction brings his total prison term to more than seven years.
Gray targeted women he met on Tinder, secretly taking photos of their bank cards and driving licences during their dates. He then used their details to make fraudulent loan applications in their names. His manipulative tactics left his victims financially and emotionally devastated.
How Gray Deceived His Victims
The court heard that his latest victim, an ex-partner, learned of his past convictions from a news report. She discovered that Gray had fathered a child with another woman during their relationship. She described this revelation as “soul-destroying.”
Gray convinced this victim that they were in a loving relationship while methodically stealing from her. Over two years, he pressured her into giving him thousands in loans, which he never repaid. He also took out a car loan and a phone contract in her name without her consent. In one instance, he borrowed £2,000 from her brother, claiming it was for an engagement ring, only for it to be valued at a mere £35.
Prosecutor Jordan Millican explained that early in the relationship, Gray asked the woman to take out a £17,000 loan. He claimed he needed it for a property deposit, insisting he had funds but could not access them in time. She later had to clear most of the loan herself.
He also persuaded her to lend him £6,000 for a Tesla that never arrived and £10,000 for a lease extension so he could remortgage a property under both their names. These fabricated financial requests were part of a calculated effort to extract as much money as possible before moving on to his next victim.
The woman eventually became suspicious after being warned by Gray’s former employer. She used Clare’s Law, which allows individuals to request background checks on partners, to uncover his history of fraud.
The Devastating Impact
In her victim impact statement, she said: “Before I left Peter, I asked him why he had done this to me. He told me it was because I was so kind. This made me greatly question my own character.” She further revealed that she only learned about his child with another woman through a television news report. “To have this confirmed by a news report was soul-destroying,” she said. The romance fraudster’s deception extended beyond romantic relationships.
He also defrauded a friend from his golf club by convincing him to lend him £25,000. Not stopping there, Gray took out an additional fraudulent loan in the man’s name, adding to the financial ruin he caused. The male victim stated: “Peter doesn’t care for anyone or for their lives – he just wants to ruin everyone and get as much money off people as possible.”
A History of Fraud
Gray admitted to police that he had spent more than £100,000 on gambling over the past eight years. His criminal record includes 12 prior convictions for 27 offences, 14 of which were related to fraud or dishonesty. His history of deceit dates back to 2011, showing a persistent pattern of fraudulent behaviour.
Judge Ray Singh, sentencing Gray at Leeds Crown Court, condemned his actions. “The truth is you are a manipulative serial romance fraudster, preying in particular upon vulnerable females,” he said. “Nothing I say or do to you, I’m afraid, is going to make you change.”
The judge further highlighted the lasting damage Gray had caused: “You have left a trail of destruction behind you. People are having to rebuild their lives. They are looking over their shoulders every time a letter comes through the post. Is this another outstanding debt? Have you taken out any more money?”
Justice Served, But Is It Enough?
While Gray’s extended sentence acknowledges the harm he inflicted, many believe it does not go far enough. His repeated offences and the scale of financial and emotional damage he caused raise questions about whether such sentences serve as a real deterrent. For victims left in financial ruin, the impact of his deception will last far beyond his time behind bars.
Authorities continue to urge people to be cautious when lending money, especially in relationships. Using background checks, monitoring financial statements, and staying alert to warning signs can help prevent falling victim to romance fraud. Meanwhile, law enforcement remains committed to bringing serial fraudsters like Gray to justice.
