Woman abuses power of attorney

A woman who had power of attorney over an elderly relative and stole money from her has been handed a jail sentence.

Irene Ryan, of Blackbrook, took £27,504 from her aunt Renee Roberts, while she was in a care home, the St Helen's Star reported.

Ms Ryan has now been jailed for 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court for this crime, as well as fraudulently gaining £10,000 and £4,000.

"You were able to take money from Renee Robert, a lady in her 80s, suffering from dementia, because you had taken steps to obtain power of attorney," Recorder Mr J Bromley Davenport, QC said.

Ms Ryan carried out the thefts between October 2009 and February 2010. Relatives found that funds had been transferred and cash withdrawals made in January 2010.
Simon Dunn, prosecuting, also highlighted that Ms Ryan was in a position of trust at the time of the thefts.

In another case only last month, Graeme Hunt was jailed after he used his power of attorney to steal £60,000 from his aunt, the Sunderland Echo reported.

Published by Hannah Carr