15 months’ imprisonment for former Councillor convicted of theft and fraud offences
A 67 year old woman of Hughenden Road, High Wycombe has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment after being convicted of theft and fraud offences.
The woman, a former Wycombe District Councillor who lost her seat in the 2011 election, was found guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday 12th March 2015 following a week-long trial.
She was convicted of one count of theft in a dwelling, two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of possession of articles for use in fraud.
On Thursday 12th march 2015 she was sentenced to a total of 15 months’ imprisonment for the offences.
The woman befriended the victim, a woman aged in her eighties, between June 2012 to November 2012 and took debit and credit cards from the victims home.
The convicted woman then assumed control of the victim’s finances having gained the PIN and, with no authority, withdrew £26,350 from both accounts over a six month period, clearing the victim’s bank accounts of funds.
The convicted woman was also found in possession of international money transfer forms in other names with signatures which had been forged.
The convicted woman was was charged with the offences on Tuesday 30th July 2013.
Investigating officer PC Merlyn Evans said: ‘The offender in this case took advantage of a very vulnerable woman and inflicted severe monetary loss on her.
This left the victim overdrawn on her accounts and unable to pay her vital utility bills.
I believe the sentence given to [the convicted woman] sends a strong message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated and Thames Valley Police will investigate fully to bring offenders to justice.‘
