A couple who defrauded their elderly parents leaving them with just 28p broke down in tears after seeing each other on a court video link.
Gary Mansell, 61, and his wife Diane, 58, defrauded his vulnerable parents for three-and-a-half years while acting as the pair’s power of attorney. But the law eventually caught up with the couple, who “dreamt of becoming millionaires”, and they were convicted of fraud and money laundering following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court last month.
When the starry eyed lovers saw each other on a video link back at the crown court yesterday morning, Wednesday, November 8 they waved before breaking down in tears. However, Honour Judge David Swinnerton said their actions were despicable and that they “should be ashamed”.
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Liverpool Crown Court heard how Fred and Enid Mansell moved out of their family home on Stonyhurst Road, Woolton, in October 2017. Fred had recently been discharged from hospital after a serious fall and was undergoing rehabilitation, while Enid had dementia.
The pair, who had lived in the house since 1965, owned it and had considerable equity in it. The pair also owned two cars and had a healthy amount of cash in the bank due to their state and work pensions which brought in up to £2,700 each month. Diane and Gary Mansell were appointed as Fred and Enid’s power of attorney due to the pair’s age and vulnerabilities.
Charlotte Atherton, prosecuting, told the court: “Enid was entirely reliant on the defendants protecting her interests”, while Fred’s efforts were focussed on looking after his vulnerable wife. The elderly pair had nowhere else to go so moved in with Gary and Diane and the house was put up for sale.
However, once they were in the position of power of attorney Diane and Gary sold the house for £150,000 – considerably under the asking price. The court heard Diane and Gary used the money to convert their garage into a living area for their parents. However, Fred and Enid’s living area was separated by a wooden door that was alarmed.
Gary and Diane kept social workers away from the house wherever possible, and if they did visit, the pair insisted on being present. Fred and Enid were “controlled”, fed ready meals and kept shut away. They barely left the house and between August 2017 and November 2021 only went on holiday for two days to Llandudno.
However, in the same time period Gary and Diane, who “dreamt of becoming millionaires,” lived outside the lifestyle they could afford. The court heard how they spent 14 nights in Jamaica, holidayed in Cape Verde and took trips to the Grand Hotel in York. Diane spent £9,000 alone on dental work, drove a gold BMW with a private number plate, had an extensive collection of Chanel and Louboutin bags and spent thousands on Joe Malone perfumes.
Despite this, Diane hated having to look after Fred and Enid. One message heard during the trial claimed she was “used and abused by the b*******”.” The pair, who met in 2001 and married in Las Vegas four years later, made over 100 withdrawals from Fred and Enid’s accounts for around £158,000.
The court heard that the prosecution believed around £218,000 of Fred and Enid’s money was stripped away over a three-and-a-half year period. However, the prosecution settled on £117,000 after subtracting £50,000 for the garage conversion which housed the elderly couple, and £50,000 for living costs. Honour Judge David Swinnerton called this a “generous estimate”.
Prosecutor Ms Atherton called the fraud “a deliberate targeting of Fred and Enid because of their vulnerability”. She said this was an abuse of power and responsibility due to “an expectation that the defendants cared for their parents to protect their interests”.
She added this not only had a financial impact but a significant impact on Fred and Enid’s mental health. In a brief victim impact statement, Fred, who is now 83, said he “did not want to be here anymore following the ordeal”. Enid died in December last year aged 81.
Ken Heckle, defending Diane Mansell, said the 58-year-old was “bewildered having previously been a woman of good character but now in strange surroundings”. He said she was a mum of three, and is the primary carer of her eldest daughter who has a brain injury.
Mr Heckle said she was worried how the family would cope without her being there. He told the court: “She is the glue for her side of the company, while Diane’s glue is Gary.” He added: “The glue will come apart [while in prison], and I hope she uses the time usefully and reengages with her family.”
Lloyd Morgan, defending Gary Mansell, said his court date (November 8) marked his client’s 61st birthday. He called his client a man of effective good character, as Gary had one previous historic conviction for an unrelated offence.
Mr Morgan told the court the defendant suffered with medical issues which were not mentioned in court. He added the difficulties will likely be exasperated in prison. Lastly, he said there had been significant delay between when the offending ended – April 2021 – and when the pair were charged with the two offences in November 2022.
Both Gary and Diane Mansell were convicted by a jury of the removal of criminal property and fraud by abuse of position in October of this year. Due to being found guilty after trial, neither of them were granted credit during sentencing.
Judge Swinnerton called the pair’s actions a “despicable display of greed and vanity”. He said the pair ploughed their parents and targeted them because of their vulnerabilities. He added this meant they had “no comfort or security in their twilight years”.
He sentenced the pair, of Camp Road, Woolton, to six years in prison. Gary appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, while Diane appeared from HMP Styal. Addressing the pair, the judge said: “This is an example of how a family can be destroyed by vanity and greed. You should be ashamed of yourselves.” A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been set for March next year.
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
