Jailed: Telford man stole £80,000 from his in-laws

Kenneth Tranter stole the cash from the elderly and vulnerable victim after he was given power of attorney.

Over a three-year period the 50-year-old used the money to fund his failing property maintenance business.

Tranter was jailed for a year after admitting charges of theft. A court heard he had attempted to escape justice by making up a ‘cock and bull’ story.

Tranter, of Grizedale Drive, Doseley, stole £82,600 belonging to the victim between September 2014 and June last year. The court heard he was asked to take on power of attorney by his mother-in-law, who is the victim's sister, when she became ill and he had access to her account and her PIN number.

Judge Jim Tindal said Tranter had ‘utterly abused’ the trust that was placed in him to use the money for the best interests of the victim. He said the defendant had not only lied to police but had made up a complete ‘cock and bull’ story when interviewed by a probation officer.

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told the victim, who is in her 80s, needed significant 24-hour care, which was funded by the local authority and was provided by two care companies.

Miss Suti Ruck, prosecuting, said £1,200 was put into her account each month and concerns were raised in March last year when it was discovered £30,000 in care fees were unpaid.

At a meeting Tranter had lied and said he have moved money to avoid potential care home fees and had agreed to pay the money and was given the benefit of the doubt.

Miss Ruck said while some monies were allowed for food and bills the defendant had taken about £54,000 in cash and a further £11,000 by using the victim’s debit card.

The court heard that about 17,000 euros from the sale of a property in Spain was also taken by the defendant.

An application for a confiscation order against Tranter will be decided at a hearing later in the year. The court was told he accepted the level of betrayal involved and that his family were ‘disgusted’ with him. His wife has also left him.

Mr Robert Edwards, for Tranter, said his client was no longer pursuing earlier claims that other individuals had access to the monies.

He said Tranter had buried his head in the sand and had lied when challenged and accepted it was a nasty offence and was a massive breach of trust.

Mr Edwards said his client now recognised the level of betrayal and his family were ‘disgusted’ with his behaviour and his marriage had broken up.

He said the money was not used on any luxury items but was used to support his failed business ventures and his family.

The investigation into the thefts was conducted by officers from the Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Adults at Risk police unit.

After the hearing a spokesman said that if anyone had any worries or concerns about the welfare of a relative or neighbour should not hesitate to contact the unit.