Susan Bruland, aged 57, of Banbury, has been sentenced to five years in prison for two counts of fraud by abuse of position at Oxford Crown Court after she previously pleaded guilty to both counts at a hearing at the same court on 15 August following a Thames Valley Police investigation.

Bruland had her own book keeping business and was a trusted friend of the elderly couple she had power of attorney for. They believed her position as a bookkeeper made her trustworthy and reliable.

But as the Judge said in their sentencing remarks,’ the defendant was given one of the most responsible positions there can be and callously disregarded this for her own means’.

Between July 2022 and October 2023, in her capacity as their attorney, Bruland transferred a total of £901,498.23 from their bank accounts into accounts controlled by her, for her own personal use.