Telford addict who stole £97,000 from pensioner must repay her just £10
A Telford drug and gambling addict who stole more than £97,000 from an elderly woman will only need to repay £10.
Peter Rose, 61, helped himself to the pensioner’s money after befriending her and moving into her home in the St George’s area of Telford.
He was jailed for a total of 27 months in March this year after admitted a charge of theft. He was said to have systematically ‘milked’ Marjorie Phillips’ bank account over a five-year period.
At a proceeds of crime hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday it emerged that Rose had no means of paying back the £97,390.28 to the woman.
Judge Peter Barrie ordered him to pay £10 or serve 10 days in jail in default.
“The benefit from your criminal conduct is £97,390.28. You are in custody and you have no financial resources and are in no position to repay the sum,” the judge said.
Rose, of Watling Street, Wellington, deliberately targeted the victim in 2010 and moved in, in what was a platonic relationship, knowing she was vulnerable and not in a position to challenge what was happening.
The cash was removed from the victim’s bank account, largely by ATM withdrawals, between January 2011 and October 2016.
The matter came to light following a welfare visit by police. The property was found in an appalling state and the pensioner was not being looked after.
Now, aged 90, she was moved into a care home and was left distressed by the defendant’s actions.
Rose used most of the money to feed his crack cocaine habit and gambling addiction. He also claimed he had the victim’s consent in relation to a car.
