A man who stole “eye watering” amounts of money from his elderly aunt has been jailed for five and a half years.

David Eggleton, 71, from Calne, Wiltshire siphoned off £600,000 from the bank account of 93-year-old Lilian Eggleton, Swindon Crown Court heard.

He transferred large sums of money into his personal bank account.

His fraud, from 2018 until 2020, was only discovered when her funds became depleted and could not pay her care home fees.

Eggleton claimed the money had been loaned and gifted to him – even producing a forged agreement between him and his aunt – but was convicted of fraud and perverting the course of justice.

The court heard he gained control over his aunt’s financial affairs when he was appointed lasting power of attorney in 2017 – the same year his aunt entered a care home in Wembley in northwest London.

Eggleton then stole money over several years, using the cash for cars, holidays, garden makeovers and paying off his mortgage.

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His aunt raised concerns with police when bills for her care home went unpaid, but even when she withdrew permission for him to deal with her financial affairs, he continued to steal cash from her account.

‘Eye watering’ sums

The judge, Recorder Marcus Pilgerstorfer KC, told him: “The total sum taken is quite eye watering. You used the money to live the high life.”

Between August 2017 and November 2020, Eggleton spent £817,000.

In 2021, Eggleton emailed his aunt’s care home – describing himself “as her loving nephew” – and asking for the police complaint to be withdrawn.

He promised to return the money he had taken, and pay £31,853 in outstanding care home fees, but his aunt died a month later.

During a video interview – recorded before her death and played at her nephew’s trial – she became tearful and described her sadness about what he had done.

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‘Frugal lady’ died before getting justice

Delia Russell, Ms Eggleton’s great niece, described her as a “frugal lady” who bought her clothes and shoes from church sales and went on holiday just one week a year.

She said: “Auntie Lily passed away in February 2021, not knowing where her money was or why her nephew had acted how he did.”

Outside court, Detective Constable Aaron Rowe, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This was a long and complex case where Eggleton was trusted by his Auntie Lilian who he then took advantage of.

“What is even worse is that sadly, Lilian passed away before getting justice.”

A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act – to potentially recover the stolen money – will take place on 15 January next year.

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