A HANHAM "family man" was jailed for nine months after admitting stealing more than £75,000 from his 87-year-old aunt's savings.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Terry Pocock, 54, of Forest Edge, stole the money to repay debts after convincing others he had power of attorney over his aunt's estate.

Mark Humphries, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, explained that Pocock drafted a power of attorney application to take over the affairs of his aunt, Marjorie Insall, in 2002.

"He drafted the document but it was never registered or agreed," he said. "But Pocock told people he had power of attorney and it was treated like that by people who had dealings with his aunt."

In 2006, Mrs Insall was diagnosed with dementia and admitted to a care home in Torbay, Devon.

The court heard her house was sold for £124,000 in 2007.

Mr Humphries added: "In May 2010, Pocock wrote to the NHS trust that ran his aunt's care home and told them she only had £20,000 left in her savings and may need help paying for care in the future.

"A benefits officer looked into the matter and found out about Mrs Insall's house being sold, and found there was a shortage of about £75,000 in the pensioner's account.

"He wrote to the defendant asking where the money was. At first Pocock claimed that the house had only sold for £50,000 and then he claimed he had put the missing money into a bond. When he was not able to prove this the benefits officer informed the police."

The court was told that in police interview Pocock said he used his aunt's money to pay off debts he had accrued when he changed his job and that he had no previous convictions.

Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, said: "Pocock is a hard working family man. He works hard to support his wife and his two sons.

"He had a rather sad childhood – his mother had mental health problems and he found his father dead when he was 14 years old.

"He had a very close relationship with his aunt – she looked after him and even considered adopting him.

"When she became ill he started caring for her. He believed he had power of attorney and started to use the money to pay for her care. It was unfortunate that he then got into debt and used her money without her knowledge to pay off his own debts."

She added: "He was extremely remorseful and felt incredibly guilty about using her money for his own means. He is truly ashamed of what he has done."

Judge William Hart told Pocock he would have normally jailed him for 18 months but believed the case was exceptional.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation hearing will also take place at a date to be fixed.