Jail for gambler who stole his frail mum’s £30,000 life-savings
heard. Yet she had enough to tide her over and enjoy “some home comforts” before her son began plundering her accounts, said Julia Baggs, prosecuting.
Garrood, who as main carer for his frail mother had access to her Barclays bank account, stopped her statements arriving in the post and doubled the daily withdrawal limit to £600.
By the time his sister became suspicious and checked the balance, their mother was £800 overdrawn.
Garrood, of Hull, who admitted theft, was arrested and immediately confessed he was in debt, had mortgage arrears, a gambling addiction and had been withdrawing hundreds of pounds “on a daily basis” from his mother’s account.
Disgraced
Miss Baggs said: “She is completely devastated by what her son has done.
“She brought her children up to be honest and feels very let down.
“Now she can’t ever see how she could afford to pay for her own funeral. She doesn’t feel safe in her own home. She is concerned the defendant still has a door key.
“She leaves a key inside the lock to prevent the defendant accessing her property.”
She had been considering downsizing the family home to free up some extra money to fully enjoy her retirement.
Now she “can’t ever see how she could afford to pay for her own funeral”, said Miss Baggs.
David Godfrey, defending, said: “He feels abject shame at his abhorrent actions and what he did. He is disgraced.”
Jailing Garrood, Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, said: “Her life is in tatters.
“What little sums she had for her advancing years have been taken from her and she is at her wits end as to what to do.
“Your conduct can described as outrageous.
“You stole thousands of pounds from your mother, a frail old lady.
“I accept the submissions that have been made on your behalf.
“But I would be failing in my duty if I did anything other than pass a custodial sentence.” only be Betrayal: Shamed Michael Garrood, 37