Littlehampton carer's callous crimes

A SELF-appointed unofficial carer has been convicted of three counts of theft after stealing almost £19,000 from a dying woman.

Len Coles, of Arundel Road, Littlehampton, took 18,790 from the bank accounts of Valerie Courtney, who died on June 10 from cancer, aged 68.

Chichester Crown Court heard how Valerie had sold her house in Clifton Road before moving to a flat in St Catherine's Road, and was living on the proceeds. As her health deteriorated, Coles was entrusted with debit cards in order to buy food and essentials, but over a period of eight months repeatedly withdrew cash, sometimes up to 300 a day, to feed a gambling addiction.

A callous crime

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Handing down a 32-week suspended sentence to Coles, who pleaded guilty, Judge Robert Fraser said: "You stole from an elderly lady in poor

health who has sadly since died.

"This was a callous crime where you took advantage of someone unable to look after herself. She had put her trust in you."

He also ordered that Coles complete 12 months of community service over the next 12 months, and that he repay 2,400, at a rate of 200 a month, to Ms Courtney's estate.

"Whatever sentence I impose I will not be able to undo the wrong you have done to Valerie Courtney, who is no longer with us."

Sentence "is a joke"

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking after the hearing, Jon Millhouse, a close friend of Valerie's who was introduced to her by Coles, said he was "disgusted" by the sentence.

"It is ridiculous, to get a suspended sentence after what he has done is a joke."

He also spoke of the change he saw in his friend when she realised what had been happening.

"It was horrible. She lived life to the full; was always out socialising, and was such a generous and trusting person.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Afterwards, she became very introverted and scared. She hardly went out, and we would get phone calls at 2am, when she thought there was someone outside her door."

Jon, who, along with wife Wendy, was at Valerie's bedside when she died, added that the pair had attended his wedding in March last year together.

"I can't believe that someone who I thought was a friend to both Val and myself could do such a thing.

"That week, he took 530 from her accounts."

"Humiliating and sobering effect"

Defending, Lewis Power, said that Coles had no previous convictions, and that the whole case had had a "humiliating and sobering effect" on him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The victim's death has brought the enormity of his wrong-doing home to roost.

"This is not a case of the defendant from the very outset being a confidence trickster. This was an opportunistic crime, and he succumbed to temptation."

He also said that Coles' addiction to roulette machines had spiralled out of control since the death of his wife in 2003.

Jon paid tribute to Valerie, whose funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Littlehampton, last Thursday.

"She will leave a big whole in all our lives," he said.

He added that all the money paid back to the estate would go to Cancer Research.