A man has been convicted of stealing more than £50,000 from a vulnerable pensioner.
Peter Bond, 75, of Hunters Way, Cashes Green, Stroud, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on January 15 for fraud by abuse of position between April 2016 and December 2020.
Bond had been found guilty following a four-day trial.
He was in a relationship with the daughter of Brian Woollett, an elderly man living in a private care facility in Cirencester.
Mr Woollett entrusted Bond with managing his finances, giving him access to his bank account, debit card, cheque book, and internet banking.
Sell car to purchase a funeral insurance policy
Concerns were raised in December 2020 when Mr Woollett’s grandson was asked by his grandfather to sell his car in order to purchase a funeral insurance policy.
After examining his grandfather’s bank statements, the grandson discovered transactions exceeding £30,000.
Upon being confronted, Bond claimed Mr Woollett had consented to him using the funds as his own.
Bond was reported to police and later asked to move out by his partner.
An investigation by the Economic Crime Team revealed that Bond had taken £52,391.27 to fund his personal lifestyle.
Bond received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Victim died without knowing outcome of case
Mr Woollett died in June 2023 at the age of 89, without knowing the outcome of the case.
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In a statement, his grandson said: "It left a proud man anxious, embarrassed that this could have happened to him and deeply ashamed to have been a victim to this crime.
"The loss of his financial security and his independence caused him ongoing emotional pain and deprived him of the peace and security he had worked so hard for and should have had in his final years."
The family said they hoped the court proceedings would raise awareness.
They said: "While nothing can undo what Brian and the family experienced, it is the hope of the family that these proceedings raise awareness of such incidents to encourage vigilance and to put transparent support networks in place to prevent similar incidents when family members are in need of support."
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