Telford man who stole £80,000 will only have to repay £23
A Telford man who stole more than £80,000 from one of his ex-wife’s relatives only needs to repay £23, a court has ruled.
Kenneth Andrew Tranter, aged 50, stole the cash from the elderly and vulnerable victim over a three-year period, using the money to fund his failing property maintenance business.
At a proceeds of crime hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court it was revealed just how little of it will be recouped.
Tranter, of Willetts Way, Dawley, stole £82,600 belonging to the victim between September 2014 and June last year after he was asked to take on power of attorney by his mother-in-law, who is the victim’s sister, when she became ill. He he had access to the victim's bank account and her PIN number.
Prosecuting barrister Mr Geoffrey Dann said: “The parties have come to agreement. The total figure is £82,620.14. The only assets he has available is £23 in a bank account and I ask for an order for £23 to be paid.”
Tranter was given until August 3 to pay the money or face seven days in custody in default.
In January this year he was jailed for 12 months for the crime and has since been released.
At the time the court heard that he had not only lied to police but had made up a complete ‘cock and bull’ story when interviewed by a probation officer about the situation.
The reality was that the victim, in her 80s, needed significant 24-hour care, which was funded by the local authority and was provided by two care companies.
Arrangements were made for £1,200 to be put into her account each month towards the costs, and concerns were raised in March 2016 when it was discovered £30,000 in care fees were unpaid.
At a meeting Tranter had lied and said he had moved money to avoid potential care home fees, he agreed to pay the outstanding bills and was given the benefit of the doubt.
While some monies were allowed for food and bills Tranter 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, and that his family was ‘disgusted’ by his behaviour and his marriage had broken up.
Tranter claimed he used the missing money to support his failed business ventures.
