Stroud man sentenced after stealing more than £50,000 from vulnerable pensioner
Peter Bond, 75, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence
Last updated 19th Jan 2026
A Stroud man has been sentenced after stealing over £50,000 from an elderly pensioner he was trusted to help manage finances for.
Peter Bond, 75, of Hunters Way, Cashes Green, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 15th January 2026 for sentencing after being found guilty of one count of fraud by abuse of position at an earlier trial.
The offence occurred between April 2016 and December 2020.
The court heard how Bond, who was in a relationship with the daughter of the victim, Brian Woollett, had been given permission by Mr Woollett to manage his finances.
Mr Woollett, who lived in a private care facility in Cirencester, handed over access to his bank account, cheque book, debit card, and online banking.
Concerns were raised in December 2020 by Mr Woollett's grandson who noticed transactions exceeding £30,000 in his grandfather's bank statements while helping him to sell a car to purchase a funeral insurance policy.
Bond claimed that Mr Woollett had given him permission to use the money as if it were his own.
After this, Bond was asked to move out by his partner, and he was reported to Gloucestershire Constabulary.
An investigation by the Economic Crime Team revealed that he had taken £52,391.27 from Mr Woollett’s account to fund his own lifestyle.
His spending included purchasing a personalised number plate for his car and attending the Silverstone Grand Prix.
Bond was subsequently charged with fraud by abuse of position.
Bond received a suspended two-year prison sentence.
Mr Woollett passed away in June 2023 at the age of 89, before he could learn the outcome of the case.
In a Victim Personal Statement which was seen by the court, Mr Woollett's grandson said: "The impact of this crime was profound.
"It left a proud man anxious, embarrassed that this could have happened to him and deeply ashamed to have been a victim to this crime.
"The loss of his financial security and his independence caused him ongoing emotional pain and deprived him of the peace and security he had worked so hard for and should have had in his final years.
"The wider harm to the family has been devastating.
"My grandfather spent the end of his life in distress and uncertainty, with reduced control of his care pathway due to the crime, this has caused deep and enduring grief.
"My grandfather deserved dignity, security and peace in his final years. Instead, he was left distressed and without the financial stability he and my grandmother had worked their entire lives to achieve.
"The harm he suffered has left a lasting impact on his family. It is with sincere regret that he did not live to see justice done."
PSI Chakraborty, from the Economic Crime Team which lead the investigation, said:
"Bond committed a despicable crime against a vulnerable man who trusted him.
"Sadly, Brian did not live to see his abuser convicted, however this result has brought justice to his family, who were understandably distraught by what happened.
"I would like to thank all the witnesses who provided evidence to help the prosecution's case. I would also like to extend thanks to our partners at the Crown Prosecution Service who presented a compelling case to the jury.
"This conviction has demonstrated Gloucestershire Constabulary's dedication to pursuing justice for financial crime committed within our communities."