Callous son stole £46k savings from war hero dad after being granted power of attorney

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A son has admitted stealing £46,000 of his frail father's money after being granted power of attorney to look after his financial interests.James Crossan helped himself to his ailing father's war pension and cleared out his savings account shortly before his death.So much money had been taken from James Morrison Crossan's bank accounts, that there was nothing left to cover his Virgin Media bill and his telephone and TV services were cut off.James Crossan, 69, Dundee, admitted that between 17 March 2015 and 14 September 2018 at 18 Dykehead Place and Reform Street, Dundee, while having financial power of attorney over James Morrison Crossan, now deceased, embezzled £46,000.He had initially been accused of embezzling £73,879.79, but the crown accepted his guilty plea to the reduced sum at Dundee Sheriff Court.

He began stealing his father's money within days of getting access to his bank accounts.Fiscal depute Douglas Thomson told the court: "James Morrison Crossan was a father-of-five, including the accused, although one had previously passed away."He suffered a stroke and was taken into hospital in January 2015.

His mobility was compromised and he was full housebound."He required assistance from family members with tasks like shopping and help with getting dressed.

Power of attorney was granted to his son, the accused, and signed on 6 March 2015."It was registered on 19 March 2015 and a covering letter expressly advised to retain a record of all actions and retain receipts for all transactions in line with the code of practice."Mr Thomson said Mr Crossan Snr had two accounts with Santander Bank and initially had £4,442 in his everyday account and £12,023 in a savings account.He told the court that around £1,200 - partly