This is Madeline Shaw

Shaw, now 33 and of Borrowby, near Thirsk, abused her position as his lasting power of attorney, transferring more than £125,000 out of his bank accounts after he moved into a care home and failing to pay his care fees.

Trusted With Power of Attorney

Shaw’s grandfather, described in court as elderly and vulnerable, had given her legal control over his finances so she could manage his affairs when he was no longer able to do so himself. That power of attorney was meant to protect him and ensure his needs were met.

Instead, prosecutors said, Shaw used that authority to systematically drain his accounts. While he relied on others for day‑to‑day care, she was moving large sums of money into her own name.

The court heard that her grandfather was left without basic items such as toiletries, despite having savings that should have comfortably covered his care and living costs.

Fraud Only Discovered After His Death

The fraud did not come to light until 2021, after Shaw’s grandfather had died. Solicitors acting for his beneficiaries began examining his estate and quickly noticed that large amounts of money were missing from his bank accounts.

When questioned, Shaw claimed that the remaining funds had been used to invest in property “for her grandfather’s benefit”, but that the investment had turned out to be a scam. Investigators were not convinced.

Financial specialists were brought in to trace the movement of money and build a picture of what had really happened to the pensioner’s savings.

Money Trail Reveals Six‑Figure Transfers

The investigation showed that shortly after Shaw was granted power of attorney, a series of large transfers began leaving her grandfather’s accounts.

Financial investigators found:

• Transfers totalling £99,590 moved directly from her grandfather’s bank account into Shaw’s own account
• Further transfers of £20,000 to another bank account, which were then moved back into Shaw’s account
• Cash withdrawals totalling £4,490
• A number of smaller payments to retail companies, including Next Directory and Fabletics

Prosecutors said the pattern of spending was completely inconsistent with the needs of an elderly man in a care home and clearly showed Shaw was using his money for her own benefit.

Jailed for Fraud by Abuse of Position

Shaw appeared at court in November last year, where she pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position in relation to £71,600 of the total amount identified.

A judge jailed her for 18 months, telling her that she had exploited a man who trusted her at a time when he was least able to protect himself.

The court heard that her actions had not only deprived him of financial security, but also stripped him of the dignity and comfort he should have enjoyed in his final years.

Proceeds of Crime Hearing

Last month, a further hearing was held at York Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act , which allows courts to recover money and assets gained through criminal conduct.

Despite the six‑figure sums that passed through her accounts, the court was told Shaw now had very little available. A financial assessment found she could repay just £1,908.50.

That amount was ordered to be confiscated — a small fraction of what she took, but the maximum the court could legally demand based on her current means.

“A Cruel Breach of Trust”

Prosecutors described Shaw’s behaviour as a “cruel and calculated breach of trust”, highlighting that she had been given power of attorney precisely because her grandfather was no longer able to manage his own affairs.

Instead of safeguarding his interests, she treated his savings as her own spending pot, while he went without basic items and his care fees went unpaid.

The case has been held up as a stark example of how financial abuse can be carried out behind closed doors, even when legal safeguards are in place.

What Power of Attorney Is Meant to Do

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows a trusted person to make decisions on someone’s behalf if they lose the capacity to do so themselves. It is supposed to be a protective measure, not a licence to spend.

Guidance from the UK government makes clear that anyone acting under an LPA must:

• Always act in the best interests of the person they represent
• Keep their money and property separate from their own
• Keep clear records of spending and decisions
• Never profit personally from the role

More information on LPAs is available at: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney .

Spotting Financial Abuse

Charities and safeguarding teams warn that financial abuse of older and vulnerable people is often hidden and can be difficult to detect, especially when it is carried out by family members.

Warning signs can include:

• Unexplained withdrawals or transfers from bank accounts
• Bills or care fees going unpaid despite savings being available
• A sudden change in who controls money or access to accounts
• The person lacking basic items, clothing or toiletries when they should be able to afford them

Anyone who suspects financial abuse can seek advice from:

• Age UK – for support and guidance
• Their local council’s adult safeguarding team
• Action Fraud – to report suspected fraud

Protecting Vulnerable Relatives

The case of Madeline Shaw underlines how important it is to choose attorneys carefully and to ensure there is some oversight of how money is being managed when someone becomes dependent on others.

Families are encouraged to:

• Discuss who will act as power of attorney before it is needed
• Consider appointing more than one attorney, so decisions are shared
• Ask for regular updates and statements if they have concerns
• Seek legal advice if something does not feel right

TrueNorth News will continue to report on cases involving the financial abuse of vulnerable people and the action being taken in the courts to hold offenders to account.