Man sentenced for £480,000 fraud

A man who duped an elderly relative out of £480,201.13 has been sentenced to four years in prison.

David Bickel, aged 58 and of Kingfisher Road, Attleborough appeared at Norwich Crown Court last week (27 March 2024) after pleading guilty to theft and fraud by abuse of position.

Bickel’s offending took place over a prolonged period of time between 2015 and 2021 after his father was moved into a residential care home due to a dementia diagnosis.

Bickel’s crimes were discovered after his father was left in significant debt as his care fees went unpaid. Bickel had continually made withdrawals from his father’s bank account, cashed in multiple investments and sold his home without his permission after fraudulently gaining lasting power of attorney. Despite requests from the care home, Bickel also failed to provide his father with a personal allowance meaning he was unable to pay for services within the home. 

Bickel was arrested on 15 December 2021 and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. Last week (27 March 2024), David Bickel was sentenced to a total of four years in prison. 

Investigating officer Polly Reade said, “The Adult Abuse Team works hard to investigate crimes against vulnerable adults, providing them with a voice when they may not otherwise be heard.

“Bickel took advantage of a vulnerable individual and slowly drained them of all their assets, leaving them in a considerable amount of debt.

“His actions were unacceptable and this custodial sentence reflects that.”