Leeds gambling addict facing prison after fleecing £68,000 from uncle with dementia
A gambling addict who drained his uncle’s bank account of more than £68,000 has been told he faces jail.
Stephen Lewsley was given power of attorney over his relative, who suffers from advanced dementia, Leeds Crown Court was told.
The 56-year-old then made hundreds of withdrawals over a three-year period.
He was due to be sentenced this week having already admitted a charge of fraud by false representation. But the case was adjourned after the judge said she wanted documentary evidence that Lewsley suffered from depression.
Lewsley, of Fairfield Road, Bramley, was granted access, along with his sister, to his uncle’s bank account in December 2021.
But in autumn of 2024, the victim’s social worker became concerned about the lack of funds available for the man’s care-home fees, prosecutor Emily Jenkins told the court.
A financial assessment was launched by Leeds City Council and bank statements were obtained, showing suspicious transactions and “excessive spending unrelated to the complainant or his care”.
The police were informed and an investigation found there was 251 withdrawals from two bank accounts. At one point less than £50 was left in each.
A total of £68,130 had been taken.
Lewsley was arrested on April 4 last year and he admitted during his police interview to taking the cash for gambling purposes.
The court heard that he expressed remorse and guilt from the outset.
He has previous convictions, but they date back to 1985 for handling stolen goods and theft.
Mitigating, Marte Alnaes said Lewsley, who wept in the dock, conceded he faced a prison sentence but suggested it could be suspended for him to receive the help needed for his addiction.
She said he suffered from anxiety and depression stemming from the death of his brother and father, which led to him gambling.
But the judge, Recorder Caroline Goodwin KC, said she wanted evidence of his mental-health problems.
She told Ms Alnaes: “No amount of weeping of the defendant in the dock is going to address that.”
She adjourned the case until January 14 for documentary evidence of his health issues to be obtained.
She told Lewsley: “You are facing a very serious allegation, it’s completely shameful behaviour on your part.
“You are at risk of custody. It’s important that medical evidence is put before the court.”