A couple who abused their positions as power of attorney for the husband’s elderly parents have been forced to return the money and sentenced to six years in prison.
Gary and Diane Mansell were convicted of fraud and money laundering after abusing their power of attorney, selling the home of Gary’s parents, and keeping the proceeds of the sale.
Both were given confiscation orders of £289,773 at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) and the Crown Prosecution Service secured a compensation order to ensure the stolen money is returned to the victim. The Mansells must pay the orders within three months or risk a further three years in custody.
The couple made a total of 103 transfers from the victims’ bank account to their own and spent over £59,000 in 11 months. By the time his mother died, Gary Mansell had sold his parents’ cars and house and they were living in a converted garage with just 28p.
Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor, said: “The Mansells stole from his elderly parents. His mother’s final days were spent having been moved into their converted garage with an alarmed door, while Gary and Diane spent their money on lavish holidays and house renovations.
“Today, we are pleased to be able to get an order to return what was stolen back to Gary’s 86-year-old father, the victim, ensuring that the Mansells cannot continue to benefit from their crimes, which were driven purely by greed and selfishness.”
At sentencing, the judge remarked that the couple had displayed a “despicable display of greed, vanity, and selfishness”. The pair spent over £9,000 on cosmetic dental work, purchased a gold BMW, and spent money on holidays in Jamaica and luxury UK hotels.
The CPS Proceeds of Crime Division secured a confiscation order and compensation order to ensure that the entirety of the money stolen from the victim is returned.
The CPS successfully submitted to the court that the house was sold at a significant undervalue, which was accepted by the judge, meaning that this money could be included in the confiscation order and returned to the victim. Without this, he would have lost the money he put into his house for years and the rightful proceeds of its sale.
