[A] JURY in the trial of a Barrow man who denies the alleged defrauding of his elderly mother has retired to consider its verdict.
John Gwynn, 66, has been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court having pleaded not guilty to one fraud charge.
This alleges that during an 18-month period in 2015 and 2016 he abused his position as power of attorney with a legal right to make decisions in relation to the property and financial details of Mary Elizabeth Gwynn.
Mrs Gywnn, of Barrow, died in January at the age of 91.
The prosecution alleges that Gwynn committed a fraud totalling more than £46,000 by taking money from his mother which he allegedly used to benefit him but not her.
He accepts using money but has insisted it was not his intention that she should lose out financially.
Summing up the case today (THURS) after two days of evidence, Recorder Julian Shaw said to jurors: “Make no bones about it: this is a case where it is being alleged he dishonestly helped himself to his mother’s money.”
But Recorder Shaw confirmed Gwynn, of Kirkstone Crescent, Barrow, was a man of good character. And he reminded jurors that the son had said in evidence: “When I used my mother’s money, I didn’t believe I was being dishonest.” At the conclusion of Recorder Shaw’s summing-up, jurors retired to start their deliberations.