Joe Dillon was a prospective buyer for the Corner Shop who, in November 1997, offered Maud Grimes £55,000 for the property instead of the asking price of £70,000. When Maud disclosed the low offer to ex son-in-law Fred Elliott, he felt sympathy for her and told her that he would buy the shop himself for £60,000. Forced into accepting Fred's final offer of £62,200 for the shop, flat and stock, Maud was horrified to discover that Dillon was a friend of Fred's and realised she'd been conned into selling to Fred at a well-below market price.