Pensioner spent dementia sufferer’s savings

A pensioner who lavished thousands of pounds of her dementia-suffering friend’s life savings on luxuries and gifts has walked free from court after being spared jail.

Ex-Samaritans volunteer Margaret Rigby, 80, gained power of attorney over Barbara Lewis’s finances. Lewis died in 2011.

Rigby spent the cash on meals out, weekly shopping, clearing credit card bills, and gifts to herself, her daughter, and her son-in-law, an ex- policeman at the expense of Lewis, who she had known for 40 years.

Canterbury Crown Court heard Rigby’s reputation as a “pillar of the community” had been trashed by her actions.

Rigby, from Kent, was found guilty in October of fraud by abuse of position of around £57,000 between 2007 and 2011.

Recorder Deborah Charles said: “If you were 10 years younger and fitter, I would have sent you straight to prison. I’m just persuaded you should avoid doing so.”