August 13, 2020 3.44 pm This story is over 43 months old

Lincoln gardener jailed for stealing £15k from elderly client

He bought a new car and a holiday
Martin Twist, 41, stole £15,000 from a 79-year-old client. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A gardener has been jailed for 18 months after stealing thousands of pounds from an elderly client who trusted him to look after her finances.

Martin Twist took £15,000 from the 79 year old widow’s account before being confronted, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Jeremy Janes, prosecuting, said that Twist managed to spend the cash over a five month period.

Mr Janes said: “£15,000 was taken from the victim’s bank account. He swapped his car for what was described as a nice, new silver one.  He took a two week holiday in Yarmouth instead of a week.

“He kept mentioning his dog and the fact that he had expensive vets bills. There is some evidence that there was a new settee at the home of the defendant and his partner.

“Within a five month period the best part of £3,000 a month was dissipated somewhere.”

Twist took over looking after the woman’s finances from one of her friends who had gone into hospital.

When the original helper returned, she checked the finances and discovered the money had gone.

When Twist was subsequently interviewed by police he denied he had stolen any money.

But in court Twist, 41, of De Wint Avenue, Lincoln, admitted theft of £15,000. He was jailed for 18 months.

A hearing to consider confiscation of his available assets was adjourned to October.

Karen Walton, in mitigation, said Twist has expressed remorse for what he did.

She told the court: “He is a man who has had a lengthy period of anxiety and depression. At the moment he is on benefits receiving Employment and Support Allowance.”