YORK, England — A North Yorkshire woman who admitted stealing £71,600 from her elderly grandfather has been jailed for 18 months.
Madeline Shaw, 32, from Borrowby near Thirsk, was granted power of attorney over her grandfather’s finances but transferred £124,600 from his bank accounts into her own. She pleaded guilty to fraud in relation to £71,600, telling York Crown Court that the remaining £53,000 had been invested on her grandfather’s behalf in a property scheme that later turned out to be a scam.
The fraud was uncovered in 2021, following her grandfather’s death, when solicitors handling his estate discovered large sums missing. An investigation by North Yorkshire Police revealed multiple transfers totaling £99,590 into Shaw’s account, plus further transactions of £20,000 and cash withdrawals of £4,490.
Shaw claimed the funds were used for her grandfather’s benefit, including days out and home improvements, but investigators found no evidence of such expenses. She also failed to pay his care home fees after he was moved from his home.
Police referred the case to the Office of the Public Guardian, which froze her grandfather’s accounts to prevent further loss.
Following the sentencing, PC Emma Harris from the Economic Crime Unit said:
“Madeline Shaw betrayed the trust placed in her to act in her frail grandfather’s interests. She has lied about what she did with his money, but thankfully, when faced with the evidence, she pleaded guilty and is now facing the consequences.”
A proceeds of crime hearing will be held at a later date to recover the stolen funds.
