Fraudster must repay £2,500

A man who abused his position as trustee of his mother’s Direct Payments bank account has been ordered to repay £2,500.

Shujat Ali, 44, of Dean Court, pleaded guilty to the charges at Bolton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 21 September 2010).

Mr Ali was expected to use the payments for his mother’s care, but instead spent the majority of the money on his own lifestyle, including meals, and a flight to Spain.

Judge Everett told Mr Ali that his crime was a mean, cynical and unpleasant way of spending money granted for his mother’s care, resulting in Shujat Ali having thrown away his position of trust.

Mr Ali had two previous dishonesty convictions in the 1980’s.

He was ordered to repay £2500 compensation to Rochdale Borough Council and instructed to undertake 150 hours unpaid work within the community whose trust he had abused.

£2904.00 costs must also be repaid. The judge advised the defendant that it was only the fact that his mother’s care had not been neglected which stopped Ali receiving a prison sentence.

Councillor Greg Couzens, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Management said: “This individual was in a position of trust, and instead chose to steal the financial assistance provided for his mother’s care. His lifestyle was funded by his cheating. He has been dealt with in court, as will anyone else who abuses Direct Payments.”