A pensioner could be jailed for abusing his role looking after his sister’s finances.
John Albert Longley, 80, became power of attorney for his sibling’s property and financial affairs in January, 2013.
In that position, Longley, of Dobs Hole Farm, Grayrigg, near Kendal, was expected to safeguard and not act against her interests.
But Carlisle Crown Court heard that during almost seven years, to December 2019, he abused that trusted power of attorney role.
When he appeared in front of a judge today, Longley admitted one charge of fraud having acted dishonestly intending that a gain should be made.
His guilty plea was entered on a formal basis read into the court record. This revealed he had invested in his son’s bar, which ultimately failed.
“I was unable to recoup the funds. When the bar fell into financial difficulty I continued to provide money rather than cut off funding,” Longley stated.
“As a result, the care home fees began to go unpaid although I did make some attempts to try and pay when I could. I am deeply ashamed of my actions and bitterly regret the decisions I made.”
No value was given in court for the fraud but it is said to run into tens of thousands of pounds.
Judge Nicholas Barker adjourned the case for a probation service pre-sentence report to be prepared. Judge Barker told Longley he had held a great responsibility which he abused, and which was a serious matter.
Longley is due to be sentenced next month and is on bail on the meantime.
But the judge said: “All sentencing options are open given the size of the fraud in this case.”
