£8K CROOK IS JAILED
A Sunderland man jailed for taking £114,000 from his mother is back behind bars after stealing from a relative with learning difficulties.
A Sunderland man jailed for taking £114,000 from his mother is back behind bars after stealing from a relative with learning difficulties.
David Webster, 61, lost his freedom, home and personalised car number plate for helping himself to money from his mum’s account so he could buy foreign holidays and a new motor.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when his dishonesty was made public, a carer looking after the fraudster’s brother-in-law, who has severe problems and needs daily support, came forward.
The court heard Webster, who was the man’s only living relative, had power of attorney over his financial affairs.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Muir told the court: “When it transpired he had been sent to prison for 30 months for the offences against his mother, the carer became concerned. She requested copies of the man’s bank statements.
“There had been £8,655 withdrawn from the account, over and above the amounts he was authorised to withdraw.”
The court heard Webster, a former security worker, had been authorised to take £100 per week from the man’s account to give to the carer, but had helped himself to the extra amount between 2012 and 2016.
The dishonesty has had a devastating impact on the latest victim, who said in a statement: “It has completely shattered my trust in everyone.”
Webster was interviewed by the police about the latest offences. Miss Muir added: “He accepted he had been spending and withdrawing from the account. He had travelling to Russia, bought shopping, clothes and petrol.”
Webster, of South Durham Court, Hendon, who was released from prison on licence, admitted theft of £8,655 and has now gone back to jail.
Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Webster to 18 months in jail, with a lifelong restraining order to keep him away from his latest victim.
The judge told him: “This was sustained, over a period of time, against such a vulnerable family member. Despite your release from custody for very similar offences and your progress on licence, it is not appropriate, in my view, to suspend that sentence.”
“It has completely shattered my trust in everyone” VICTIM