A FORMER councillor who stole £46,000 from a profoundly deaf and near-blind man in his 90s has been jailed for two and a half years.

Stephanie Todd, 57, a former UKIP councillor on Richmondshire District Council, targeted vulnerable Mr Wall, took control of his bank card and changed his will to make herself the main beneficiary, the court heard.

Below we speak to those involved in the case.

The Northern Echo: Solicitors Lisa Potts, left, and Claire Richardson, who became suspicious of Todd when Mr Wall was encouraged to change his will

Solicitors Lisa Potts, left, and Claire Richardson, who became suspicious of Todd when Mr Wall was encouraged to change his will

THE two women who first became suspicious about Todd were in court yesterday to see the former councillor sentenced.

Claire Richardson and Lisa Potts, of Hunton and Garget law firm in Richmond, paid tribute to Philip Wall, who they said was a 'gentle, caring man'.

Ms Potts said: "He was profoundly deaf and nearly blind so he did live quite an isolated life but he had some good neighbours.

"I first met him when I went to see what his arrangements were for cleaning and everything and a neighbour Janet Cornforth was helping him. She brought him food and did a bit of light cleaning for him, for a small fee."

It was later that Mr Wall formed the mistaken impression Ms Cornforth was poisoning him, and became increasingly reliant on Todd.

Ms Potts and Ms Richardson went to see him again after receiving a letter saying he wanted to change solicitors, which she said concerned her as it was out of character, but if he confirmed it to her there was little she could do. However he seemed upset and kept telling her to talk to his 'interpreter', Todd, and couldn't answer why he wanted to change solicitors.

Ms Potts said there were warning signs, like changing his will when he had always been adamant he wanted his money left to Cats Protection previously.

Police found 'significant' spending and cash withdrawals on Mr Wall's accounts.

Detective Constable Nicola Hancock from North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Todd preyed on an elderly and vulnerable man in his time of need. She gained his trust and proceeded to steal thousands of pounds, as well as convincing him to change the details of his will. The sentence sends out a clear message that this kind of offending, particularly against the vulnerable, will simply not be tolerated."

Financial Investigator Steve Wright added: "This was clearly a gross breach of trust and all the evidence shows the extent to which Todd took advantage of her elderly victim who sadly died shortly after the conviction."