County Court: Rick McLeod in court after scamming $180,000 from online dates

A 74-year-old love rat convinced four women he met on dating apps to hand over more than $180,000 in fake investments.

A Victorian man who had previously pleaded guilty to stealing almost $200,000 from women he met on dating apps has failed in his attempt to change his plea.

Cedric ‘Rick’ McLeod, 74, pleaded guilty in May to three of obtaining financial advantage by deception and one of obtaining property by deception.

McLeod had met the women on the dating app Oasis between 2017 and 2019, according to court documents.

He reappeared at the County Court on Thursday for a decision on an application to vacate his guilty plea.

McLeod maintained there would be a miscarriage of justice if his application for leave to withdraw was declined.

Rick McLeod, 74, is facing court after he scammed $180,000 from four women he met on dating apps. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

His pleas, he argued, were not free and voluntary and said he had no idea why he was pleading guilty.

McLeod told the court he thought he’d be self represented. He complained about the quality of legal representation and said the court process had not been explained to him properly.

But Judge Peter Rozen rejected his claim, saying McLeod was of sound mind, was professionally advised about the case, and that he knew what he was pleading guilty to.

The judge said McLeod was taking advantage of a sensible resolution matter and ruled the plea process needed to be finalised.

McLeod’s bail was further extended and the matter will be called on November 17 to finalise the pleas.