Hill was responsible for managing Louis Woodward’s financial affairs after being granted power of attorney. Between August 2019 and April 2021, Hill manipulated her position to transfer large sums of money from Woodward’s bank accounts into her own, draining his savings and even taking out a lifetime mortgage against his home.
The money she stole was used to fund her online gambling addiction and even to book a lavish family holiday to Turkey, which was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic. The stolen funds also paid for Hill’s personal expenses and gambling losses, which had accumulated over several years.
During the investigation, Hill claimed that she had been authorised by Woodward to take the money for various purposes, including paying for his care and home improvements. However, Woodward’s account, along with evidence from his bank statements, contradicted her claims. He insisted that he never consented to the funds being used for Hill’s benefit and only allowed limited access to his money for his immediate needs, such as paying bills and buying petrol.
The fraud was uncovered when one of Woodward’s friends became suspicious and raised concerns with social services, who initiated a thorough investigation. Hill was arrested on April 9, 2021, after the authorities discovered the full scale of her actions.
Hill denied all charges but was ultimately convicted of five counts of fraud and one count of perverting the course of justice. The court heard that she had long struggled with gambling, having incurred significant losses even before she was granted power of attorney over Woodward’s finances. Between 2018 and 2021, she had lost over £108,000 on gambling sites.
Judge Mark Watson, who sentenced Hill, described her actions as a “betrayal” of the trust placed in her. He noted that Hill had exploited the elderly man’s vulnerabilities for personal gain, stripping him of his life savings and attempting to take even more when she sold his home against his wishes.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Hill continued to deny any wrongdoing until the end of the trial, showing no remorse for her actions. The court found that she had also attempted to cover up her crimes by forging documents and misleading the Office of the Public Guardian during their investigation.
Hill’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse when individuals are given authority over the financial matters of vulnerable people. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding elderly individuals and ensuring that powers of attorney are used responsibly and transparently.