Current timestamp: 07/02/2023 17:13:34
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

cheshire-header-logo ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Four people sentenced after stealing more than £145,000 from vulnerable relative

Main article content

Navigation

News

12:05 14/03/2022

Four people who stole more than £145,000 from a vulnerable relative have been sentenced.

Scott Billington, Janet Billington, Keith Billington and Vicky Bailey all appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 11 March where they were sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison.

Scott, age 30, and 60-year Janet had previously been found guilty of fraud by abuse of position and possession of criminal property following an six day trial at Chester Crown Court.

Their co-defendants, 34-year-old Bailey and 64-year-old Keith were both convicted of possession of criminal property at the same hearing.

They were handed the following sentences -

  • Scott Billington, of Forster Avenue, Weaverham - 5 years in prison
  • Janet Billington, of Forster Avenue, Weaverham - 3 years in prison
  • Keith Billington, of Forster Avenue, Weaverham - 3 years in prison
  • Vicky Bailey, of Drillfield Road, Northwich -15 months in prison suspended for 18 months.


During the trial, the jury heard that the victim was a vulnerable man with learning difficulties who lived near Tarporley

Due to his vulnerabilities, his father had previously managed the man’s finances until he sadly passed away in August 2015.

The victim’s mother initially took over, but due to her own deteriorating mental health, Janet, Scott and Keith offered to help in September 2016.

The trio then unwittingly made victim sign a Lasting Power of Attorney Order which gave them control of all his money.

Within months of signing the order, a number fraudulent transactions began to take place and large amounts of cash were removed from the victim’s accounts.

The offences escalated in May 2017 when Scott and Vicky moved in with the victim after his mum was taken into care.

The fraud continued until November 2018, by which point all of the victim’s cash had been removed from his accounts.

However it was not until July 2019, that the offences came to light when Social Services, along with another family member, took over the care of the victim and realised that all his money was missing.

The incident was reported to Cheshire Constabulary who launched an investigation.

During their enquiries officers discovered approximately 360 fraudulent transactions, which resulted in the victim being defrauded out of more than £145,000.

The main perpetrator in the case was Scott, who took over £113,000 from the victims accounts.

His parents, Janet and Keith also defrauded the victim out of more than £22,000.

In addition, Scott’s partner, Vicky, was found to have received at least £10,000 of the cash which had been taken from the victim.

Following the sentencing Detective Constable Neil Wharmby, who led the investigation, said: “This has been an extremely complex investigation and I welcome the sentences that have been handed to the defendants.

“Scott, Janet, Keith and Vicky we’re well aware that the victim was vulnerable, but rather than provide him with the help and support he needed, they chose to exploit him in order to fund their lavish lifestyles.

“Between them they stole more than £145,000 from the victim, much of which was spent on extravagant holidays, weekends away, festivals and nights out.

“Scott also gave a considerable amount of the money to his friends – including at least £10,000 which was given to Vicky, who was well aware of where the cash had come from.

“The actions taken by all four defendants was absolutely sickening, and the fact that they made the victim’s family endure a trial only exacerbated what they had done.

“Thankfully, all four defendants were found guilty and I hope that the sentencing will provide some reassurance to the victim and his family.

“As this case demonstrates, we treat all allegations of fraud seriously and I encourage anyone who believes that they, or someone that they know, has been a victim to report it.

“You will be listened to and we will do all that we can to ensure that the people responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

Billingtons.png

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Cheshire Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.