Accountant fleeced sick aunt of £100k to fund gambling addiction
An accountant stole more than £100,000 from his sick 94-year-old aunt to fund his gambling addiction.
Philip Deakin, 51, was put in charge of his aunt’s savings – but frittered it all away on risky bets.
The dad of two, of Calderbrook Road, Littleborough, Rochdale, stole thousands of pounds in cash on a daily basis.
His deceit was only exposed when bosses at his aunt’s care home in Littleborough alerted social services when her fees weren’t being met.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Deakin destroyed his family’s trust by abusing his position of power to defraud the vulnerable pensioner.
Juliet Berry, prosecuting, told the court that Deakin – who was a partner at Rochdale accountancy firm TBD Associates – even pocketed cash from his aunt’s will to fund his gambling.
She said: “Huge amounts of money was spent on this addiction.”
When authorities became suspicious, Deakin told them he was using the money for ‘living purposes’ and even denied his gambling habit to police, Ms Berry said.
Deakin was given the responsibility of controlling the finances because he was an accountant with more than 30 years’ experience and was considered to be the ‘most successful member’ of the family.
“He talks about the strong family connection and the crown would say that makes the matter worse, coupled with the skills he had as an accountant,” Ms Berry said.
Joseph Hart, mitigating, said Deakin paid £30,000 back before he was arrested and had now returned the entire amount. But Mr Hart labelled the fraud a ‘wicked crime’.
“He was trying to be the big man,” he said.
“He couldn’t afford to pay his mortgage and all that the family held dear was at risk.
“He was still taking thousands of pounds every day to use on gambling.”
As Deakin’s wife and daughter sat in the public gallery sobbing, Recorder Simon Medland QC told him: “Your good character counts for less because that’s the reason you were chosen by your family in the first place.
“You hid behind that shield while thieving from your aunt.”
Deakin, who pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position was given a two-year suspended sentence and walked free from court.
Deakin is well-known in the Littleborough community as a talented cricketer. The bowler has been a member of the cricket club for 35 years, where he once captained the first team.
Deakin has remained playing with the club throughout his court appearances and is considered a valuable player by his team mates.
Chairman Phil Pye said: “He will hopefully play for us this weekend against Norden and win us our game.”
The game is the final of the first team’s matches in the Lancashire-based Wood Cup. One of Deakin’s sporting highlights includes securing maximum points for Littleborough against Royton at The Paddock in 2011.
His cricket career may be going strong, but his accountancy work could be over. Deakin may face disciplinary charges from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and could even be stripped of his title.
A spokesman for TBD Associates, where Deakin’s daughter also works, said he resigned from his post as company partner in February.
Philip Deakin, 51, was put in charge of his aunt’s savings – but frittered it all away on risky bets.
The dad of two, of Calderbrook Road, Littleborough, Rochdale, stole thousands of pounds in cash on a daily basis.
His deceit was only exposed when bosses at his aunt’s care home in Littleborough alerted social services when her fees weren’t being met.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Deakin destroyed his family’s trust by abusing his position of power to defraud the vulnerable pensioner.
Juliet Berry, prosecuting, told the court that Deakin – who was a partner at Rochdale accountancy firm TBD Associates – even pocketed cash from his aunt’s will to fund his gambling.
She said: “Huge amounts of money was spent on this addiction.”
When authorities became suspicious, Deakin told them he was using the money for ‘living purposes’ and even denied his gambling habit to police, Ms Berry said.
Deakin was given the responsibility of controlling the finances because he was an accountant with more than 30 years’ experience and was considered to be the ‘most successful member’ of the family.
“He talks about the strong family connection and the crown would say that makes the matter worse, coupled with the skills he had as an accountant,” Ms Berry said.
Joseph Hart, mitigating, said Deakin paid £30,000 back before he was arrested and had now returned the entire amount. But Mr Hart labelled the fraud a ‘wicked crime’.
“He was trying to be the big man,” he said.
“He couldn’t afford to pay his mortgage and all that the family held dear was at risk.
“He was still taking thousands of pounds every day to use on gambling.”
As Deakin’s wife and daughter sat in the public gallery sobbing, Recorder Simon Medland QC told him: “Your good character counts for less because that’s the reason you were chosen by your family in the first place.
“You hid behind that shield while thieving from your aunt.”
Deakin, who pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position was given a two-year suspended sentence and walked free from court.
Cricket team stand by him
Philip Deakin’s reputation and career may be in tatters, but his loyal cricket team are standing by him.Deakin is well-known in the Littleborough community as a talented cricketer. The bowler has been a member of the cricket club for 35 years, where he once captained the first team.
Deakin has remained playing with the club throughout his court appearances and is considered a valuable player by his team mates.
Chairman Phil Pye said: “He will hopefully play for us this weekend against Norden and win us our game.”
The game is the final of the first team’s matches in the Lancashire-based Wood Cup. One of Deakin’s sporting highlights includes securing maximum points for Littleborough against Royton at The Paddock in 2011.
His cricket career may be going strong, but his accountancy work could be over. Deakin may face disciplinary charges from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and could even be stripped of his title.
A spokesman for TBD Associates, where Deakin’s daughter also works, said he resigned from his post as company partner in February.
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