Police hope case serves to encourage victims to come forward

DC Anthony McCabe said police were pleased with a judge's decision to jail David Kettle for five years and nine months for the theft of £228,000 from his elderly mother.

DC McCabe works with a specialist adults at risk unit, and alongside other local authorities to track down such criminals.

He said: "We are pleased the the result.

"We will continue to work with our partners to help victims and come up with convictions.

"We are satisfied with the sentence passed by the judge, he was correct in his summing up.

"The defendant's claims were ludicrous.

"The social services, Shropshire local authority and the specialists adults at risk unit have all worked hard and worked together on this."

DC McCabe said he wants the case to serve as encouragement for other victims to come forward – even if the victim cannot be in court to give evidence in a trial.

He said: "Regardless of whether the victim has the capacity to give evidence, or if they have dementia or learning disabilities, we want them to come forward.

"We have the skills to come up with a prosecution regardless, and we will help."

Kettle, 64, had claimed he was paying for his mother’s care at a nursing home in Bridgnorth.

But Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that while he was using some of the money to pay for her care, he was also spending money on a fast-food restaurant venture in Halesowen.

Kettle, of Crabtree Lane, Bromsgrove, had claimed his mother knew of the venture and approved of the plan.

However Judge Jonathan Gosling dismissed the claims.

He said: “It is preposterous that she would have agreed for you to take over her finances after having a failed business venture in the past.

“There is no mitigation for this.”

Judge Gosling jailed Kettle for five years and nine months after he admitted a charge of stealing £228,575.81 from his mother, now 93.