Man jailed for abusing wills and probate

A man has been jailed after using his power of attorney to take money from his elderly relative in a recent wills and probate case.

The Sunderland Echo reported that Graeme Hunt spent £60,000 of his aunt Audrey Peverley's money after he gained control of her financial affairs due to her battle with dementia.

Now Mr Hunt, of Penshaw, has begun a two year jail sentence after admitting fraud.

"He abused his position of power of attorney in relation to the estate of Miss Peverley," Judge Michael Cartlidge told Newcastle Crown Court.

Mr Hunt gained control of his 81-year-old aunt's finances in 2007 when she moved into a care home and sold her house. His actions were only discovered in 2010 when social services looked at Ms Peverley's bank accounts.

In another wills and probate case that went to court this year, Zoe Berridge was jailed after stealing £11,678 from the bank account of her elderly grandmother, Thisisgrimsby.co.uk reported.

Published by Phil Hammond