Couple to reclaim £21,000 after trusted carer steals £125,000
An elderly couple who entrusted Seth Proctor with their life savings have been handed some justice. Proctor, 55, from Margate, ripped off the pair to the tune of over £125,000 – cash meant for their retirement home.
From Trusted Carer to Convicted Thief
After the couple sold their house in 2011 and moved into a care home, Proctor was given full control of their finances. His job? To ensure the accommodation fees were paid on time. Instead, between 2013 and 2015, he blew all their cash.
When the money ran out, Proctor had to call Social Services for help meeting the costs in January 2015. He admitted the theft but tried to justify it by claiming he used the money to fund business ventures – all of which failed.
Court Orders Proctor to Pay Back £21,666
kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police stepped in and charged Proctor with theft in March 2017. In June that year, Canterbury Crown Court slapped him with a 20-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of unpaid work.
But that wasn’t the end. Detectives pursued a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, demanding Proctor cough up £21,666 – the value of his current assets. If he fails to pay within three months, he faces 12 months behind bars.
Detective Inspector Annie Clayton said, “No one should profit from crime, especially not someone who broke the trust of vulnerable victims. We will keep fighting to get victims justice.”
Betrayal Cuts Deep for Victims
The couple were left shocked, hurt and embarrassed by the betrayal of someone they trusted with their future.
The police warned that if Proctor hides or gains new assets, they will take him back to court until every penny is recovered.
