A BRADFORD man who tried to murder a vulnerable woman has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General.

Barry Riley, 63, abused his position of trust to steal more than £100,000 from Ann Skelton, a disabled woman who had granted him Power of Attorney over her finances.

Riley, of East Morton, would travel weekly from Bradford to stay with 75-year-old Ms Skelton, who had a degenerative physical condition, at her home in Bristol. Between 2015 and 2018, he exploited his position for his own financial gain.

On March 10, 2018, Riley attempted to murder Ms Skelton by smothering her with a pillow, but he stopped before killing her.

The police were alerted and Riley claimed Ms Skelton had asked him to help her end her life, but she made it clear that he had in fact attacked her.

Ms Skelton, who was unable to talk due to her condition and used a keyboard to communicate, died in May 2018, though not as a result of any injury or harm caused by the attempt on her life. Following her death, her family and the police discovered the extent of Riley’s fraudulent activity.

Prior to these offences, Riley had 24 previous convictions for 73 offences. At the time of his arrest he was also found to have small amounts of cannabis and cocaine. 

Riley pleaded guilty to attempted murder, initially attempting to plead on the basis he was asked by Ms Skelton to help end her life, however the basis of his plea was rejected. Riley was convicted of fraud after a trial and pleaded guilty to offences of possession of class A and B drugs.

On February 25 this year, Riley was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months’ imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court. 

Following the court’s decision, the Solicitor General referred Riley’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Today, the court ruled that the sentence was unduly lenient and increased it to 15 years’ imprisonment.

After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP, said: “Riley stole from a vulnerable woman who considered him a friend. To escape detection, he then sought to take her life.

"Sadly, Ann Skelton never lived to see justice delivered, but I hope today’s decision by the Court of Appeal will bring some comfort to her family.”

After Riley was jailed, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Craig Basil, of Avon and Somerset Police, said it was a "cold and calculated attack on a woman unable to defend herself".