Fraud trial hears of blind man's letter to PM over bank account block

Police and trading standards launched an investigation after concerns were raised about the pensioner's capacity to make decisions over his finances due to his ailing health.

His cleaner Veronica Robinson, aged 61, and her partner Robert Homer, 66, are alleged to have deliberately isolated the man so she could gain control of his money.

A number of hand-written documents were found in a raid on the house bought for her in Beecher Road, Halesowen, many which attempted to explain how it was apparently the man's wish to buy the property for her, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

A letter to then prime minister David Cameron was among them, in which the writer implored him to 'use his power to put an end to his torture', referring to the criminal investigation and the block on the bank account.

It is unclear who wrote the letter and whether a copy was ever sent to Downing Street but Robinson was living in the house at the time, the court was told.

Four months later, in October 2015, a social worker concluded, following an assessment of the 94-year-old, that he had Alzheimer's and questioned his ability to make choices, said Mr Mark Jackson, prosecuting.

The letter complained that trading standards bosses were taking over his life.

Reading it to the court, Mr Jackson said: "A lady takes care of him every day and takes him out. She is proposing to look after him until death and not let him go into a nursing home.

"He wants her in his life. Without her he would not be happy and would never get out of the house.

"A block has now been put on his bank account. He had not been informed of this.

"He is 94 and should be able to do what he likes with his own money. He still wants to enjoy his life and is of sound mind."

Christopher King, from Dudley Council's trading standards team, also told the jury how he received a letter purporting to be from the pensioner, urging him to drop the investigation against Robinson.

The letter said: "Since I have known her she had been a very caring and grateful friend. She does my washing, housework and takes me on daily journeys.

"Claims she has taken part in aggressive commercial practice are false and laughable.

"I have an agreement with Veronica that should anything happen I will live with her and she will care for me until death.

"This is the reason I bought the house for her. She did not want it."

Asked by Mr Jackson whether he had ever used the term 'aggressive commercial practice' when communicating with the man, either by letters or in person, Mr King answered 'no'.

Robinson, of High Haden Road, Cradley Heath, denies fraud by abuse of position and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Her partner Robert Homer, of the same address, pleads not guilty to aiding and abetting the fraud and false representation.

The trial continues.