A fraudster has been ordered to pay back just £550 after stealing over £78,000 from actress Margaret Wright, known professionally as Meg Wynn Owen, who suffered from dementia.
The perpetrator, Brian Malam, had been given power of attorney over Wright’s finances and took advantage of her vulnerability to steal thousands of pounds from her savings account over the course of several years.
Malam was supposed to be putting money into a special account for Wright’s care home but failed to do so, leaving staff without funds to buy her essentials such as clothes and a hairdresser.
Concerns about Wright’s financial situation led to an investigation, and Malam was subsequently arrested and admitted to spending “tens of thousands of pounds” of her money.
He claimed that he had intended to pay her back and that he believed she would have wanted him to have the money as she had allegedly promised him an inheritance.
Malam was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to fraud.
During a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Malam had benefited from the fraud to the amount of £78,064 but only had assets worth £550.
Judge Niclas Parry ordered that the amount be paid within three months, or Malam would serve an additional two months in prison.
Wright passed away in June of last year. She was a well-known actress who had appeared in numerous popular TV shows and films such as Love Actually, Doctor Who, Under Milk Woods, Pride and Prejudice, and Upstairs Downstairs.
Malam had met Wright through their work at the BBC and had been friends with her for many years before being given power of attorney over her finances.
»Fraudster is ordered to pay back £550«
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