Man stole mum's £17k savings after dad's death

A man who plundered his 80-year-old mother's life savings, in the aftermath of his father's death, should be "ashamed" of himself, a judge has said.

Gary Stephenson, 52, from Sunderland, stole more than £17,000 from his mother, making more than 30 bank transfers over five months, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

His mother said he should be jailed for betraying her trust, with the court learning his relationship with his family had been destroyed by his actions.

Stephenson admitted fraud and was jailed for two years, suspended for two years, with a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Stephenson, of Marigold Court in Millfield, had been acting as a carer for his parents until his father's death, the court heard.

He subsequently "took advantage" of his mother's vulnerability while she was mourning his father's death, and made 31 transfers from her account between April and August 2023, Judge Doig said.

The judge told Stephenson: "You fell into temptation, not once or twice, but on over 30 occasions - despite knowing how wrong it was on each and every one of those."

The fraud was uncovered when Stephenson's mother's bank grew suspicious and intervened, the court heard.

Stephenson told police the transactions had been approved by his mother for shopping purposes, but when he was confronted about it by his brother he told him "things got out of hand", the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, Stephenson's mother said he had "betrayed" her trust and should "go to prison".

She described the money as her life savings, adding the theft was carried out when she was particularly vulnerable and crying every day following her husband's death.

"I don't know why he would steal from me," she said.

In mitigation, John Crawford said Stephenson had been a carer for both of his parents but his issues with alcohol exploded after his father's death, saying the accused "fell into chaos".

Mr Crawford said Stephenson had genuine remorse and would have to live with the consequences of his actions, which included the "destruction" of his relationship with his mother and brother.

Judge Doig said it was a "mean and deeply unpleasant crime", telling Stephenson: "You deserve to be ashamed of yourself."

But he said Stephenson had been working to address his offending over the past 18 months, and there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

"I am giving you a chance, perhaps one you scarcely deserve," the judge told Stephenson.

A restraining order was made banning Stephenson from contacting his mother for 10 years.

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