A grandmother abused a position of trust and stole £150k from her cousin who had cerebral palsy.
Wendy Davies, 76, from Powys was appointed as a deputy by The Court of Protection to manage the financial affairs of John Pugh who suffers from severe learning difficulties.
Davies stole £5,000 a month from Mr Pugh’s account over a five-year period, and bought clothes and took a trip to Paris.
Wendy Davies was found guilty of pilfering £150,000 from her defenceless cousin who had ‘no concept of money’.
Even though she denied the accusation, she will be sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court later this month for theft and dishonestly abusing a position of trust.
While Davies was looking after the 66-year-old’s finances between 2005 and 2010 she spent £56,000 of Mr Pugh’s money at her local supermarket and also used his money to improve her driveway at her own property along with clothes purchases from Monsoon, Next, and La Redoute.
Prosecutor Craig Jones said:
“There was also a trip to Paris which she justified because it provided a degree of respite for her.”
He further added:
“Mr Pugh was living in supported accommodation and had no need for large amounts of cash.
“The withdrawals of £60,000-a-year were far in excess of what was required in her proper execution of his affairs.”
However, Davies denies all allegations made against her and said the money was spent caring for her cousin, but the jury rejected her claims.
