Son Sentenced for Stealing £28,000 from Dementia-Stricken Mother to Fund Lego Collection
A Norfolk man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to stealing more than £28,000 from his elderly mother who suffers from dementia, with a significant portion of the money funding his growing Lego hobby.
Systematic Theft from Vulnerable Mother
Martyn Walker, 55, from Great Yarmouth, systematically withdrew funds totalling £28,070.20 from two bank accounts belonging to his 83-year-old mother, Christine Hoggett, between January 2023 and July 2024. The court heard that Walker had initially been helping to manage his mother's finances after she was placed in a care facility in Bury St Edmunds in 2022.
Prosecutor Samantha Lowther revealed that the theft came to light when the care home approached Walker about outstanding fees. He initially claimed to be "struggling" with payments before eventually sending an email confession admitting he had "spent his mother's money."
Lego Obsession and Financial Pressure
Norwich Crown Court was told that Walker used the stolen money to "tide him over" financially, but the situation "escalated" over time. While some funds went toward covering petrol and household bills, prosecutor Lowther stated unequivocally that "he spent a lot of money on Lego."
The specific amounts taken were £16,095 from one account and £11,975 from another, leaving his mother's care home residency in jeopardy as Walker found himself unable to afford the necessary payments.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Walker appeared for sentencing at Norwich Magistrates' Court, which was chosen to accommodate his mobility needs as he arrived with a walking stick and mobility scooter. He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.
Judge David Pugh described the offences as "a pretty mean offence of theft from your 83-year-old mother who was in a care home and while suffering from dementia." The judge emphasised there had been a "breach of a high degree of trust" and that Walker had "deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman" over a sustained period.
Suspended Sentence and Consequences
Despite the serious nature of the crimes, Walker received an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, taking into account his guilty pleas. Speaking in his own defence, Walker admitted "I made a mistake" and acknowledged "I took advantage and must pay for what I did."
He expressed concern about being separated from both his mother and his wife, who had only recently discovered the thefts, if he were sent to prison.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Walker was ordered to complete:
- 180 hours of unpaid work
- Up to 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
The case highlights the devastating impact of financial abuse against vulnerable elderly relatives and the unusual circumstances that can drive such criminal behaviour, with a childhood hobby becoming an expensive obsession funded through illicit means.
