Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Man jailed for stealing from deaf parents - icWales
A 31-year-old man who stole more than £8,000 from his profoundly deaf parents was branded “despicable” by a judge today.
Cardiff Crown Court heard father-to-be Gareth Gunning acted as a carer and interpreter for parents Glenda and Ernest, and looked after their financial affairs.
Steve Harmes, prosecuting, told the court Mr and Mrs Gunning’s banks became concerned last year at the number of transactions between their two accounts and one set up by their son.
It later emerged he had transferred a total of £8,013.45 from their Nationwide and HSBC accounts between June and October last year, effectively clearing them both, Mr Harmes added.
When he was arrested at Cardiff Prison, where he was serving a sentence for an unrelated matter, Gunning told police: “I’m to blame. Can you tell them I’m fully admitting it. It was the drugs. They just took over.”
Gunning, who said his use of amphetamines had got “out of control”, admitted two counts of theft.
His father, aunt and partner, who is due to give birth in September, were in court for the sentencing today.
Alex Greenwood, defending, told the court: “Despite everything, and surprisingly, his parents have forgiven him.”
He said Gunning is “thoroughly ashamed of his conduct” and is now trying to “turn his life around”. A test taken at the end of March showed him to be clean of drugs, Mr Greenwood added.
Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC sentenced Gunning to a total of 14 months in jail, telling him: “I regard you as being despicable.
“You plundered the accounts of your vulnerable, elderly parents, removing the entire sums from the two accounts, to a total of more than £8,000, knowing they were vulnerable, deaf, and totally reliant really upon you and others.
“I cannot think of anything at the moment more horrendous than that.”
When Gunning then apologised, Judge Llewellyn-Jones added: “I have difficulty in believing very much what you say, bearing in mind your background.
“I am sure you’re sorry at the moment because it seems to me the only sentence I can pass on you is a custodial sentence.”
Gunning, who sobbed as the sentence was passed, has repaid his parents £2,500. He was ordered to pay the rest from the sale of the house he used to share with them in Sunnybank Street, Aberaman, South Wales, which is in his name.
His family and partner were also in tears as he was led away from the dock to begin his sentence.
The court heard Gunning was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in November last year for going equipped for a theft. He was also given a custodial sentence in June 2006 for offences including deception, theft and possession of drugs.
A 31-year-old man who stole more than £8,000 from his profoundly deaf parents was branded “despicable” by a judge today.
Cardiff Crown Court heard father-to-be Gareth Gunning acted as a carer and interpreter for parents Glenda and Ernest, and looked after their financial affairs.
Steve Harmes, prosecuting, told the court Mr and Mrs Gunning’s banks became concerned last year at the number of transactions between their two accounts and one set up by their son.
It later emerged he had transferred a total of £8,013.45 from their Nationwide and HSBC accounts between June and October last year, effectively clearing them both, Mr Harmes added.
When he was arrested at Cardiff Prison, where he was serving a sentence for an unrelated matter, Gunning told police: “I’m to blame. Can you tell them I’m fully admitting it. It was the drugs. They just took over.”
Gunning, who said his use of amphetamines had got “out of control”, admitted two counts of theft.
His father, aunt and partner, who is due to give birth in September, were in court for the sentencing today.
Alex Greenwood, defending, told the court: “Despite everything, and surprisingly, his parents have forgiven him.”
He said Gunning is “thoroughly ashamed of his conduct” and is now trying to “turn his life around”. A test taken at the end of March showed him to be clean of drugs, Mr Greenwood added.
Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC sentenced Gunning to a total of 14 months in jail, telling him: “I regard you as being despicable.
“You plundered the accounts of your vulnerable, elderly parents, removing the entire sums from the two accounts, to a total of more than £8,000, knowing they were vulnerable, deaf, and totally reliant really upon you and others.
“I cannot think of anything at the moment more horrendous than that.”
When Gunning then apologised, Judge Llewellyn-Jones added: “I have difficulty in believing very much what you say, bearing in mind your background.
“I am sure you’re sorry at the moment because it seems to me the only sentence I can pass on you is a custodial sentence.”
Gunning, who sobbed as the sentence was passed, has repaid his parents £2,500. He was ordered to pay the rest from the sale of the house he used to share with them in Sunnybank Street, Aberaman, South Wales, which is in his name.
His family and partner were also in tears as he was led away from the dock to begin his sentence.
The court heard Gunning was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in November last year for going equipped for a theft. He was also given a custodial sentence in June 2006 for offences including deception, theft and possession of drugs.