Liverpool Man Jailed for Stealing Deaf Woman’s Disability Payments
Fraudster Caught Preying on Vulnerable Victim
Steven Derbyshire, 28, from Liverpool, has been locked up for 30 months after being found guilty of three counts of fraud and one of theft. The Oakfield Road man siphoned off disability payments and wages from a deaf woman in her 60s, nearly costing her home as bills piled up unpaid.
Exploiting Trust for Personal Gain
DC Colin Graham of Merseyside’s Economic Crime Team said, “Derbyshire took advantage of his victim’s vulnerability and trust, exploiting her reliance on others to manage her finances for his own financial gain.” The victim endured years of financial abuse and social isolation before colleagues noticed something was wrong in 2017 and alerted Social Services.
Lavish Spending Exposed
The investigation revealed Derbyshire used the woman’s money to splash out on luxuries, including a high-end VW with voice control. Thanks to teamwork with Sefton Social Services, the NHS, and support groups, the victim’s finances have been restored, her home saved from repossession, and her essential bills paid.
Spot the Signs and Speak Up
DC Graham added, “We welcome this sentence and hope the victim now has the support needed to rebuild her life.” Anyone suspecting similar abuse can contact Merseyside Police on Twitter @MerPolCC or call 101 to help bring offenders to justice.
