Couple spent £117,000 on holidays and jewellery after rinsing parents' account
A twisted son and his wife have been jailed after they were found to have stolen £117,000 from his own parents - and spent it on luxury holidays.
Gary Mansell, 61, and Diane Mansell, 58, abused their power of attorney to take huge sums of cash from his elderly mum and dad, leaving them with only 28p in their bank account. The pair were sentenced on Wednesday at Liverpool Crown Court to six years behind bars for fraud by abuse of position and money laundering.
Detectives had searched their property at the very beginning of the investigation, and seized multiple high-end items found inside. It transpired that only child Gary and Diane had used the money - which they accessed through a legal agreement to act as his parent's financial representatives - to make expensive purchases and jet off on all-inclusive holidays.
The pair were sentenced on Wednesday at Liverpool Crown Court to six years behind bars for fraud by abuse of position and money laundering (Facebook)
A Land Rover Discovery with a personalised numberplate was among their high-value purchases (Facebook)They had gained legal power of attorney for Gary’s parents, Fred and Enid, after one of them had a serious fall in 2017. Diane and Gary moved them into their converted garage and sold their house for £150,000, which was considerably under the asking price. They then began to spend the money.
In Liverpool Crown Court, it was heard how their luxury splurges included a 14-day £7,900 holiday in Jamaica, a kitchen extension costing £25,000 and a £4,000 holiday in Cape Verde. Mrs Mansell also splashed out on £9,000 in cosmetic dental work, while purchasing three Chanel bags and one Louboutin bag. Gary also bought her a diamond eternity ring for £3,800.
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Their spending spree also saw them stay at expensive hotels in York, where on one occasion they spent £245 on Jo Malone scents. They also posted photos of their holidays in the Caribbean on social media, and Diane acquired a Land Rover Discovery with a personalised number plate.
Diane pictured with her Land Rover Discovery, which had a personalised number plate (Facebook)Fred and Enid, who did not leave the house regularly, enjoyed only one holiday to Llandudno during their stay at their son's house. Enid has since died, and the elderly husband has been severely affected by the incident.
Passing sentence, Judge David Swinnerton described the pair's actions as a "despicable display of greed and vanity". He sentenced the pair, of Camp Road, Woolton, to six years in prison. Gary appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, while Diane appeared from HMP Styal. When the pair saw each other on the video link they both burst into tears.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been set for March next year (Facebook)
Addressing the pair, the judge said: "This is an example of how a family can be destroyed by vanity and greed. You should be ashamed of yourselves." A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been set for March next year.
Merseyside Police Constable Danny Molyneux, who was the original investigation officer in the case, said: "I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and support for the prosecution. The defendants were placed into a position of trust which they betrayed, to leave the victim with no money and no home.
"Merseyside Police will seek to protect the most vulnerable in society and pursue those who take advantage to benefit themselves. Gary and Diane abused their position of trust which had a devastating impact on the couple. It was clear that they had no regard or compassion for their victims and will now be left to consider the full consequences of their actions behind bars. Fraud can and does devastate families. I hope that this sentencing sends a clear message about how seriously police and the courts take such offences."
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