Steven Lewsley’s uncle has severe dementia
Steven Lewsley stole thousands of pounds from his elderly uncle(Image: GETTY)
A sick man stole over £68,000 from his uncle with dementia to fund his gambling addiction.
Steven Lewsley, also spent the money on fuel and items from Wickes after being given Power of Attorney over his uncle who is living with “severe” dementia.
Prosecutor Emily Jenkins told Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday that Lewsley, of Fairfield Road in Leeds, and his sister were given Power of Attorney in December 2021, but an investigation was opened after it came to light in the autumn of 2024 that the man’s social worker was concerned about the lack of funding for his care home fees.
Ms Jenkins told the court: “Leeds City Council carried out a financial assessment and his sister gave bank statements which covered September 2023 to September 2024.
“When those were reviewed, the complainant’s social worker identified a number of suspicious transactions. It revealed excessive spending which was clearly unrelated to him or his care such as on fuel, car parts at Euro Car Parts and Wickes. There was a number of cash withdrawels.
“The social worker decided to report the matter to the police.”
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The court heard Lewsley’s vile offending began when he was granted Power of Attorney, and in total he had taken £68,130 from two of his uncle’s bank accounts.
Ms Jenkins said: “The defendant was arrested on April 5 2025 at around 3.25pm. He was calm and compliant and was taken to a police station. He was interviewed the day of his arrest and admitted withdrawing his cash for gambling purposes.
“He accepted he would often withdraw £200 to £400 on a daily basis and would spend it all. He realised the extent of the damage when one of the accounts dropped to £50. He expressed to the police regret and remorse.”
The court heard Lewsley had previous convictions for shop theft, handling stolen goods and theft from 1985.
He previously admitted fraud by false representation, a multiple incident count.
Mitigating, Marte Alnaes, told the court: “It was adjourned from the last occasion, partly due to my submissions about his mental health. The judge asked the Probation Service to give consideration as to whether a curfew would be suitable in the case. He knows he is going to prison today and he accepts that.
“There is a pre-sentence report with options to immediate custody and there were enquiries made by the previous judge in relation to a curfew. There is a letter from his wife, who is also in attendance in court today to support him. A reference from his employer is also there.”
The court heard Lewsley suffers with depression and has shown remorse and regret.
Ms Alnaes continued: “There are concerns about how he will cope in custody. My submission is that he has done so much work to get himself to the point he is today and when he is sent to custody he will be more of a risk when he gets outside again than he is now.”
His Honour Judge Crowson handed Lewsley a community order and told him: “You will meet me again if you breach it. The requirements are that you keep out of trouble.”
The judge ordered Lewsley carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.
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