The owner of a Norfolk garden centre this week started a four year jail sentence for stealing almost half a million pounds from his elderly mother.

Gary Woodley, of Norwich Road, Aylsham, stole £480,000 from 89-year-old Kathleen Woodley to pay off loans and fund his lifestyle between 2013 and 2016.

Norwich Crown Court heard how the 66-year-old, who owns Aylsham Garden Centre, is now “likely” to lose his business as a result of his actions.

Sentencing Woodley on Thursday, Judge Katharine Moore said he had not shown a “shred of remorse” for what happened.

Woodley, along with his brother, became a power of attorney for his mother’s property and financial affairs in 2013 after she was moved into a care home.

But the court heard how Woodley’s brother raised concerns and invoked his power of attorney in February 2016 after significant withdrawals were taken from the victim’s bank accounts over a number of years.

Police were informed and Woodley was arrested on September 15, 2016. 

He was charged on December 19, 2016 with one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of theft

His mother, Mrs Woodley died during the investigation on March 24, 2017.

Woodley pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Norwich Crown Court to fraud by abuse of position and theft.

Judge Moore said Woodley used £250,000 to pay down loans secured to his own property.

She said £159,000 from the sale of his mother’s bungalow was used to pay off a mortgage on the garden centre.

Full story can be read on the Norwich Evening News website by clicking here

Picture: Norfolk Police