A fraudster drained his victim’s bank account from abroad after abusing his trusted status as her power of attorney.
Jonathan Thorpe, aged 63, was living in Cyprus when he made multiple transfers from his victim’s account to support his day-to-day living.
Between April 2021 and March 2022, he transferred a total of £15,414 into his own account.
Thorpe flew to the UK in December 2022 for a voluntary interview with detectives after the alarm was raised by the victim’s carer.
He admitted receiving the money but claimed that all payments had been agreed in advance with the victim.
The victim, however, could recall only one loan payment of £4,000 ever being agreed.
Thorpe later pleaded guilty to ten counts of fraud by abuse of position.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, 6 November, Thorpe, of Townsend Way, Metheringham, Lincolnshire, was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also order to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Constable Akil Kapasi, a fraud investigator at Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Having power of attorney over someone’s finances puts you in a privileged position of trust.
“That person is relying on you to manage their affairs and spend their money only in their interests.
“Sadly for the victim in this case, Thorpe abused that trust to line his own pocket and sustain his lifestyle.
“As he has just found out to his cost, that is absolutely not allowed and comes with serious legal consequences.”
