A Yorkshire woman has been handed an 18-month prison sentence for defrauding her elderly grandfather out of more than £70,000.
Madeline Shaw, 32, from Borrowby, exploited her power of attorney to siphon funds from her dying relative’s accounts.
The 32-year-old admitted fraud by abuse of position at York Crown Court in August this year before her sentencing yesterday.
Shaw had been handed complete authority over her grandfather’s financial affairs and property matters.
She systematically diverted substantial amounts from his bank account into her own, and was unable to demonstrate any reason that the cash was taken to benefit her grandfather.
In total, she moved £125,000 into her own accounts – but pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position in relation to £71,600.
She claimed the remaining £53,000 covered property investments on her grandfather’s behalf, which she later admitted was a scam.
Financial investigators uncovered transfers totalling £99,590 that Shaw took from her grandfather’s account shortly after gaining power of attorney.
Madeline Shaw failed to even provide toiletries for her care home-bound relative – despite stealing thousands
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NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
An additional £20,000 was transferred to a separate account before being redirected back to Shaw’s possession.
She also withdrew £4,490 in cash and made various smaller transactions to retailers including Next Directory and Fabletics.
Shaw insisted these expenditures covered day trips and home improvements for her grandfather, yet provided nothing in support of this.
She claimed to have hired local tradespeople through Facebook for renovation work – but again, could not supply names, receipts nor proof of any completed projects.
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A professional assessment revealed her grandfather’s residence needed extensive repairs before any safety modifications could even have been attempted.
The deception emerged in 2021 after her grandfather died, when solicitors discovered significant discrepancies in his financial records.
North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit then launched an investigation that revealed the full extent of Shaw’s fraud.
Despite possessing sufficient funds to cover her grandfather’s care home expenses, Shaw had failed to settle these bills.
Care staff had requested basic toiletries for the elderly man, which she never supplied.
The Office of Public Guardian received reports about Shaw’s questionable financial management before freezing her grandfather’s accounts to prevent additional losses while it carried out its own probe.
PC Emma Harris from North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Madeline Shaw betrayed the trust placed in her to act in her frail grandfather’s interests and ensure his money was used for his benefit.
“She has lied about what she did with his money but thankfully, when faced with the evidence has pleaded guilty and is now facing the consequences.”
Authorities will pursue the stolen funds through a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at a later date.