A PRESTON man has been charged with obtaining money be deception after a Staffordshire widow's £70,000 'nest egg' disappeared.

Following a police inquiry involving several forces across the country, Brian Willis, 47, was arrested.

Detectives say the widow's money was allegedly acquired during and after the 45-year-old woman's summer break in Spain.

Willis is said to have been living in England and Spain as a British National when the crime was committed. He is due to appear before Lichfield Magistrates Court on December 1.

DC Nigel Powell, from Lichfield CID, said : "A woman from the Lichfield area, whose husband died recently, reported that more than £70,000 of her money had been taken after she has been in Spain.

"She contacted us at the beginning of September and a team of detectives carried out a thorough investigations into the claim. We liaised with forces across the country and as a result a 47-year-old man from Preston was arrested."

The man, whose address is being kept a secret, was released on police bail until his court appearance. His passport was confiscated.

DC Powell added: "Officers are looking into his bank account and have seized financial assets and products from his home.

"Two middle-aged women from other areas have helped us with our inquiries."

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