A WOMAN who stole more than £75,000 from an elderly woman and the woman's dead nephew has been given a two year jail sentence.

Monica Bailey, 54, from Whixley, in between York and Boroughbridge, appeared at York Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of her position.

The court heard how Bailey was chosen to look after an 87-year-old woman's, also from Whixley, financial affairs, after her nephew who was the executer of her will was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

In August 2009, the Court of Protection appointed the elderly woman's nephew as her 'deputy', before she moved into a care home.

But four years later, her nephew developed a brain tumour and later died in September 2013.

As a result of his death, Bailey was appointed as the new deputy for the elderly woman, and would become the legal individual responsible for her estate and affairs.

Before his death, he had requested his residury estate would be divided between six charities - The Donkey Sanctuary, The RSPCA, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Cancer Research UK, The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and The RNLI.

However when the elderly woman passed away in October 2017, an investigation carried out by North Yorkshire Police which was prompted by concerns raised from the care home over her welfare and finances, found Bailey had been fraudulently taking the money.

Police found Bailey had used the elderly woman's bank card and bank accounts for her own benefit, she had disposed of assets belonging to the nephew's estate, obtaining payments - including pension and funeral payments that were due to the nephew's estate, and using a bank card belongoing to the nephew to benefit herself, including a withdrawal of £300 after his death.

On Friday, September 20, Bailey was found guilty prompting North Yorkshire Police to start their Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation investigation to recover the money.

Emma Harris, financial investigator at North Yorkshire Police, who also lead the investigation into Bailey, said: "Bailey abused her position of trust and responsibility and plundered the bank accounts and estates of an elderly lady and the lady’s deceased nephew, believing that she would never be found out.

“In his dying months, the nephew trusted Bailey with both his and his aunt’s estate should anything happen to him after he found out the devastating news that he had a brain tumour. Bailey abused that trust with liberty and freely helped herself to their money for her own gain.

“I’d like to thank the care home for raising their concerns to the police, without them the extent of Bailey’s deceit may never have been uncovered.

“Today’s outcome should send a very clear message to those who seek to take advantage of the elderly and vulnerable. Justice will be done and you will be made to face the consequences of your actions.”

  • If you suspect someone is committing fraud, please call your local police on 101. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.