Holmfirth man jailed after defrauding mother of £60k

A man who cheated his elderly mother out of more than £60,000 partly to fund his online gambling habit has been jailed.

Jonathan Brook was his mother’s lasting power of attorney (LPA) because she could not manage her own finances, but used her money “for his own interests” and failed to pay her care home fees.

Leeds Crown Court heard he also sold her home and transferred “a large proportion” of the proceeds to himself, and failed to engage with authorities when questioned.

Brook, 54, of Holmfirth, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position at the same court earlier and was jailed for two years and eight months.

Brook defrauded his mother between April 2019 and October 2022 and an investigation was launched by the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT) after it was alerted his LPA had been revoked.

The court heard the Office of the Public Guardian revoked the LPA regarding concerns over his management of his mother’s finances.

The court heard financial inquiries were conducted and it was established that Brook was transferring his mother’s funds to his personal bank account and spending it on online gambling.

He was then prosecuted by Kirklees Council.

Linda Davis, of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “Jonathan Brook was in a significant position of trust and he abused that position, using his mother’s money to finance his own interests, leaving her unable to fund her own care.

“The WYFEAT investigation on behalf of Kirklees Council clearly evidenced financial abuse and fraud by abuse of position and the sentencing today should serve as a warning that fraud will not be tolerated.”

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “Protecting vulnerable residents is a key priority for Kirklees Council and we are committed to taking appropriate action whenever abuse is identified.”