A Wigan father who swindled his elderly in-laws out of more than £17,000 to fund his alcohol and gambling addictions has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Christopher Ward, 46, of Bridgeman Terrace in Wigan, admitted defrauding his wife's parents, Linda and David Wilkinson, between April 2022 and May 2023. He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on October 28, where he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Abuse of trust within the family
The court heard that Ward moved in with his in-laws in 2021 with his wife Dawn and their youngest child, claiming they had been evicted from their rented property and needed help for a few days. In spring 2022, Ward told his mother-in-law that he was having problems securing a mortgage and spun a story about Natwest arranging compensation for the couple.
Prosecutor Zahra Baqri said: "This case concerns the gross abuse of trust with a domestic setting, committed over 13 months. The defendant was the son-in-law of the victims in this case, Mr and Mrs Wilkinson."
Ward convinced Linda Wilkinson to close her Halifax accounts and open a Natwest account instead, claiming he needed her bank cards to complete a mortgage application. Ms Baqri noted that because of Ward's financial instability and credit score, he was unable to make the application in his own name.
Systematic theft over 13 months
Between April 2022 and May 2023, Ward stole £7,761 from Mrs Wilkinson's current account and £9,891 from the couple's joint account through bank transfers, shop purchases and online shopping. He occasionally topped up the accounts to avoid overdrafts.
During this period, the Wilkinsons had no access to their accounts. Linda Wilkinson had to ask Ward to withdraw £200 each week for her food shopping, believing the bank had custody of her cards. Ward continually lied, claiming delays with the mortgage.
Mrs Wilkinson's suspicions arose in March 2023 when Ward could not provide money for her food shop, forcing her to sell a piece of jewellery. In April 2023, she issued an ultimatum, and Ward confessed. The couple also discovered their bills had not been paid, leaving them £3,700 in arrears.
Victim impact and defence
In a victim statement, Mrs Wilkinson said: "This has had a detrimental impact on my life. I feel I don't know who I can trust any more. I can't even talk about it without getting upset. I feel my life has been turned upside down."
Dan Gaskill, defending, said Ward's relationship with his wife and her parents had collapsed. He described the offence as "mean" but said Ward was battling "various demons" and debts from alcohol and gambling addictions. Ward now lives in supported accommodation and has taken steps to address his alcohol addiction.
Mr Recorder Michael Armstrong said: "This was a very serious offence. It was a gross breach of trust. But I have seen the steps you have taken to get your life together and maintain your sobriety."
Ward was also ordered to carry out a 12-month probation requirement and was banned from contacting his former in-laws for 10 years.
