News
Businessman jailed for £245,000 retirement fund theft
A HAVERFORDWEST businessman who stole almost £250,000 from his elderly mother’s retirement fund was jailed this week.
Appearing at a sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, 66-year-old Graham Westbury was given a three-and-a-half year jail sentence.
The court heard that the businessman, who runs a Hillary’s Blinds franchise, had been given power of attorney over his mother’s financial affairs after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
However, after her death in 2011, shortly before her 91st birthday, it emerged that Westbury had spent all of the £245,000 legacy, which was intended to be split between him and his brother.
Westbury’s solicitor Nicholas Fridd said that the money had been spent on ‘everyday expenditure’. There were no luxuries or holidays,” he added.
The bulk of the money came from the sale of Mrs Westbury’s Monmouthshire house after she became ill.
Over the course of a decade, Westbury switched money between accounts to create a ‘confusing’ picture.
Prosecuting, John Ryan said that the offences were committed over a long period of time, and Westbury no longer claimed that he had spent the money with his mother’s consent during lucid spells.
Sentencing Westbury, Judge Daniel Williams said that there had been ‘a breach of a high-degree of trust aggravated by your dishonesty over a long period of time’.
“You appear to be wholly unburdened by any form of guilt at all,” he added.
AN AMBLESTON motorist was disqualified after crashing his car into a hedge while over twice the drink-drive limit.
Andrew John, 59, collided with a signpost and hedge near Clarbeston Road on November 2.
Breath tests revealed 89 mcg of alcohol in his system; the legal limit is 35.
John pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without a valid licence.
He was handed a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and was banned from driving for 22 months.
John was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
A HOMELESS man narrowly avoided jail after assaulting a security guard at Morrisons in Haverfordwest.
Michael Carruthers, 32, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal food and assaulting security guard Maxwell Opoku, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder.
In court, Carruthers’ solicitor highlighted his client’s homelessness and ongoing struggles.
Carruthers was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 28 weeks, with 20 rehabilitation activity days and £200 compensation to Mr Opoku.
He must also pay £185 court costs and a £154 surcharge.
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed for breaching a restraining order just three weeks after being sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
Zachariah Roberts, 23, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, was prohibited from contacting Briony Smith.
However, police found evidence of contact via a GPS tracker and discovered Smith’s belongings at Roberts’ property on January 6.
Roberts pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was sentenced to six weeks in custody, serving half in jail and the rest under supervision.
He was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
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