Jailed: Telford drug and gambling addict stole £97,000 from pensioner

Peter Rose, 61, had befriended the pensioner and moved into her home in the St George’s area of Telford and helped himself to her money.

He was said to have systematically ‘milked’ Marjorie Phillips’ bank account over a five year period.

Rose was jailed for a total of 27 months having admitted a charge of theft.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Recorder Stephen Thomas said Rose had deliberately targeted the victim, now aged 90, knowing she was vulnerable and not in a position to challenge what was happening.

“This was a mean and calculated theft which was sustained over a period of time and a serious breach of a high degree of trust,” he said.

Recorder Thomas said the victim’s eyesight had deteriorated and she could not effectively see her bank accounts. She had trusted Rose with her financial safety.

Rose, of Watling Street, Wellington, was said to have befriended Mrs Phillips in 2010 and moved in with her in what was a platonic relationship.

Miss Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said that £97,390 was removed from the victim’s bank account, largely by ATM withdrawals, between January 2011 and October 2016.

The court heard that the thefts were revealed following a welfare visit by police in October 2016.

There was an element of neglect and that the property was found in an appalling state and the pensioner was not being looked after.

She was now being cared for in a home and was said to have been distressed and shocked by the defendant’s actions

Psychological and social inquiry reports revealed Rose had underlying issues and that he was barely capable of looking after himself let alone another person.

Mr Kevin Saunders, for Rose, said his client had indicated only £57,000 had been used for himself to feed his crack cocaine habit and gambling addiction.

He said Rose suggested that use of other monies was a question of consent from the victim, particularly in relation to a car. An application for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act was made against Rose which will be determined later in the year.