A married couple have been jailed after they welcomed an elderly relative into their home before spending nearly £100,000 of his life savings behind his back.
Andrew Nicholson invited his uncle to live with him and his wife Louise, so they could look after him as he neared his 77th birthday.
The Nottingham couple were later arrested after an investigation found jewellery, clothes, mobile phones, a fridge freezer and a gym membership were purchased with the relative’s bank card – all without his consent.
The card was also used to withdraw vast sums of cash over a prolonged period.
In police interviews, Nicholson, 50, and Louise, 43, both admitted they had used the uncle’s bank card without his permission between March 2022 and May 2023.
The uncle was later refunded £96,465.32 by his bank to cover the amount spent without his knowledge. The bank is now seeking restitution from the couple after they were each jailed for 20 months, having pleaded guilty to theft.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the couple’s betrayal came to light when detectives acted upon financial intelligence that suggested the uncle was being exploited.
There had been a spike in large cash withdrawals from his account and vast sums were being spent at retail stores that did not reflect a typical pensioner’s expenditure.
Officers visited Andrew and Louise Nicholson at their home in Phoenix Close, The Meadows, in May 2023 and learnt the uncle had recently moved into a care home.
The officers went to see the uncle and he explained he gave them access to his bank card and PIN number so that they could help handle his finances.
He went on to say he had not had access to his bank card since moving into the care home, despite asking for it back after growing concerned Andrew and Louise were using it without his knowledge and not for his benefit.
The extent of the couple’s thieving was uncovered in the investigation that followed, with a care home manager and social worker both providing statements that revealed the couple had suggested the uncle was suffering with dementia in an apparent effort to avoid being caught.
Detectives went on discover the card had been used to withdraw vast sums of cash, as well as to purchase items at retailers such as Pandora, JD Sport, Smyths, Currys and B&M.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Akil Kapasi, who led the investigation, said:
“The actions of Andrew and Louise Nicholson were a gross betrayal of the uncle’s trust over a prolonged period.
“What they did was appalling and left him very upset. He was happy when he moved in with them as he thought they were going to look after him.
“Instead, they took advantage of him and spent his life savings on themselves.
“To make matters worse, they suggested he was experiencing dementia in a sickening attempt to prevent their betrayal being uncovered.
“I am pleased they have received custodial sentences as it sends a strong message that those who financially exploit vulnerable relatives will be caught and find themselves behind bars.”