A sneaky son who spent more than £260,000 of compensation belonging to his severely brain-damaged mum after being trusted to look after her affairs said it's what she wanted.
Michael Dixon was appointed by the Court of Protection as Anne Cox's deputy after she was left needing round-the-clock care in a nursing home, with no motor function and unable to speak, communicate or eat, following an assault in 2005 in which she was pushed down some stairs.
But instead of using the £262,500 paid out in 2012 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to meet her needs, he squandered it on himself and divided it up among other family members - his spending spree beginning on the first day it was paid in.
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A court heard Dixon, who has worked in the Territorial Army, also diverted her disability benefits, income support and pension to his own account - to the tune of more than £30,000.
Now the 47-year-old, of Devon Road, Hebburn, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court for fraud.
Prosecutor Tony Cornberg said: "The spending of the compensation award began on the very day it was paid in."
Mr Cornberg, who said Dixon spent £41,000 within the first six weeks, added: "Over the first five months a total of £116,000 of her money was spent on purchases.
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"During that same period, £72,000 in cash was withdrawn and the money is unaccounted for."
Mr Cornberg added: "The Crown say he used the money for his own purpose, essentially treating it as his own as he did so, either to spend or divide between family members.
"This involves the abuse of a position of trust and responsibility.
"She had a complete lack of capacity and was effectively helpless."
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An investigation began when Dixon failed to submit annual expenditure reports and a solicitor was appointed in his place as deputy.
Mr Cornberg said when the solicitor wrote to him about the money: "He replied saying it had all been spent and divided among the family.
"He said it's what his mother wanted and she knew all about it and said he had done nothing wrong.
"He said she understood everything and was able to make non-verbal indications."
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Dixon, of Devon Road, Hebburn, admitted four offences of fraud.
The total value of the offences was £294,120 but it was accepted he had spent around £30,000 of that on his mum.
Judge Sarah Mallett told him: "That money was intended to be put towards her general welfare and well-being but also to fund the 24-hour care she required.
"You treated that money as your own in effect."
The judge added: "You say you did not appreciate you were being dishonest and your relationship with your mother remains very strong. You are described as a devoted son.
"Your mother would no doubt have been content with how you spent some of that money."
Gavin Doig, defending, said Dixon sees his mother daily and is "devoted" to her.
Mr Doig said Dixon, who had been paying the money back, did not set out deliberately to defraud anyone.
He added: "He would much prefer if his mother was in good health and was in a position to manage her own finances.
"His actions are in no way cold-blooded. He has not callously sought to benefit from his mother's illness.
"He is remorseful and has something of a lack of maturity."
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