Care firm fraudster who targeted own mother jailed

A care company boss who defrauded service users, including his own mother, has been jailed for six years and nine months.

Peter Hunter assumed power of attorney for his victims before using the position to pay money into his personal bank account.

The 58-year-old used his Wakefield-based Caring For You (Yorkshire) Limited business to gain access to their bank accounts and siphon money into his account, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Hunter had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by abuse of position, with the offences said to have taken place between 2011 and 2021.

At sentencing on Monday, Judge Kate Rayfield said Hunter had "got away with it for so long" because the fraud was the "care being provided" to the victims.

It was said that in November 2019, a safeguarding team raised concerns about Hunter having power of attorney for one of the victims, but it was not until April 2021 that he formally relinquished the power.

In mitigation, it was said that Hunter, of Smithy Brook Lane in Dewsbury, was "hardworking" and that his company had provided care that other families were happy with.

During a hearing at the same court last week, prosecutor James Lake said Hunter "financially exploited elderly, vulnerable and isolated members of the community" instead of safeguarding them.

In the case of his mother, who is now 98, he became appointee and collected her benefits and winter fuel allowance, it was said.

Giles Hunter told the court his brother's crimes had caused a family divide that was "one of the hardest things I've ever had to face".

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