A nephew has been sentenced to over five years in prison after stealing more than £600,000 from his elderly aunt through a power of attorney fraud. David Eggleton, 71, from Calne, Wiltshire, misappropriated funds from his 93-year-old aunt, Lilian Eggleton, using the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including paying off his mortgage and going on holidays.
Eggleton’s fraudulent activities spanned from 2018 to 2020 and came to light when his aunt’s care home fees went unpaid due to insufficient funds in her account. He initially claimed the money had been loaned to him, even presenting a forged agreement as proof. However, he was convicted of fraud and perverting the course of justice after a trial at Swindon Crown Court.
Judge Marcus Pilgerstorfer KC highlighted that Lilian Eggleton had trusted her nephew, having appointed him as her lasting power of attorney in 2017. The judge emphasized the impact of Eggleton’s actions, noting that his aunt, who worked hard throughout her life, was left distressed by the betrayal.
Eggleton’s deceit was further revealed when a direct debit for her care home fees bounced in 2018, leading to an investigation. Despite being informed in June 2020 that he should no longer manage her finances, he continued to withdraw funds from her account.
In total, Eggleton spent an astonishing £817,000 during his fraudulent scheme, including purchasing luxury items and even a Bitcoin mining device. His attempts to restore the relationship with his aunt were met with failure when an email promising to pay her outstanding fees was instead sent to the police.
Detective Constable Aaron Rowe from Wiltshire Police remarked on the tragedy of the case, emphasizing that Eggleton took advantage of his aunt’s trust, leading to a profound loss for her. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is set for January 15, 2024, to address the financial gains from Eggleton’s criminal actions.
