Philip Deakin fleeced sick aunt of £100,000 to fund gambling addiction

Philip Deakin, an accountant and Littleborough cricketer, has been given a two year suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to fraud.

Deakin stole more than £100,000 from his 94-year-old sick aunt to fund his gambling addiction after he was put in charge of her savings. The 51-year-old father of two managed to fritter it all away on risky bets and stole thousands of pounds in cash on a daily basis.

His deceit was only exposed when bosses at his aunt’s care home in Littleborough alerted social services when her fees weren’t being met.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Deakin, of Calderbrook Road, Littleborough, destroyed his families trust by abusing his position of power to defraud the vulnerable pensioner.

He was given the responsibility of controlling his aunt’s finances because he was an accountant with more than 30 years experience and was considered to be the most successful member of the family.

The court also heard how he even pocketed cash from his aunt's will to fund his gambling. When authorities became suspicious, Deakin told them he was using the money for ‘living purposes’ and denied his gambling to the police.

It is understood that Deakin paid £30,000 back before he was arrested and has now returned the entire amount.

Despite his ongoing court appearances, Deakin has continued to play cricket for Littleborough.

Deakin was a company partner at TBD Associates in Rochdale but resigned from his post in February.