Leeds son caught taking cash from his mother's account
A son was caught taking money from his mother after he was given access to her account.
Richard Fagan was given responsibility to collect her pension from the Post Office, but he would then withdraw more money for himself.
But it came to the family’s attention that money was going missing in July and August of 2022, Leeds Crown Court heard.
It was found that more than £675 had been taken, with Fagan making several withdrawals.
He was interviewed by police in October 2022 and admitted he made those withdrawals, claiming some were with his mother’s permission, but some were not.
He said he intended to pay the cash back.
The 42-year-old, of Clyde Grange, New Wortley, admitted one offence of fraud by false representation. He has 22 previous convictions, including three for dishonesty.
He was last in trouble for failing to notify a change in his circumstances that could affect his benefits, for which he was given a community order.
Little mitigation was offered by his barrister Michael Walsh after the judge, Tahir Khan KC, said he would not jail him. However, Mr Walsh did say Fagan was now in “gainful employment” and he had “turned his life around”.
He was given a 12-month community order and given 150 hours of unpaid work.