Former bomb disposal expert David Bickel, 58, was jailed for four years after stealing nearly £500,000 from his father Peter, who was battling dementia. Bickel left his father with just 48p to his name after taking the money over six years, even pocketing the proceeds from selling his house. The fraud was discovered when his father was about to be evicted from his care home due to unpaid fees. Bickel had been given lasting power of attorney over his father’s finances and admitted selling his father’s home and stealing all the money, leaving his father with barely anything.
Through his thefts, Bickel took advantage of his father’s declining health and forgetfulness, taking a total of £486,101.13 between his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2015 and his death in 2021. The thefts meant that 17 of Peter’s relatives, including grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, missed out on inheritances left to them in his will. The court heard that this was not a case of a gambling addiction or substance abuse, but rather a case of sustained theft by Bickel, who was a former soldier and bomb disposal expert.
Bickel, with a long service record in the Army and subsequent work in health and safety, volunteered with armed forces charities. His defense highlighted his previously exemplary character, acknowledging the shame and embarrassment he felt over the enormity of the money he had taken from his father. However, the judge noted Bickel’s egregious and sustained dishonesty, resulting in a four-year jail sentence. Despite his past service to the country, Bickel was found guilty of taking advantage of his father’s ill health for personal gain.
The prosecutor detailed how Bickel’s father’s health began to deteriorate in 2015, creating an opportunity for Bickel to help himself to his father’s money. Bickel’s admissions and subsequent guilty plea showed his awareness and acceptance of the thefts that he had committed over a prolonged period. This case highlighted the vulnerability of elderly individuals battling illnesses like dementia and the importance of protecting their finances and assets from abuse and exploitation, especially when granting power of attorney to a family member. The court’s decision to hand Bickel a jail sentence reflected the seriousness of the crime and the impact it had on the victim and his family.
The case of David Bickel serves as a cautionary tale about financial exploitation, particularly within families and involving vulnerable individuals. It underscores the need for greater scrutiny and oversight when granting power of attorney, as well as the importance of monitoring the financial activities of loved ones who may be at risk of exploitation. Bickel’s actions not only led to his incarceration but also deprived his father and extended family members of their rightful inheritances, causing significant emotional and financial distress. The sentencing highlighted the consequences of elder financial abuse and the legal repercussions that follow such deceitful acts. Efforts to raise awareness and prevent similar cases of financial exploitation are crucial in safeguarding the vulnerable from such harm.
