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Suspended jail term for fraudster who stole £65k from mother after Rick Wakeman deal collapsed

A businessman has avoided jail after he plundered £65,000 from his mother's bank account after plans to work with rock star Rick Wakeman fell through.

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Wolverhampton Crown Court where the case was heard

Andrew Dingley, aged 53, had invested a significant amount of money on the project in March 2016, before the rock star pulled out.

Dingley had set up the project as co-director of Base Video Production Ltd, which has studios in Stourbridge.

Rick Wakeman withdrew from a project involving Base Video Production Ltd

The fraud came to light after it was discovered his mother was in debt to her care home with fees between £11,000 and £14,000.

Dingley had power of attorney of his mother's finances following the sudden death of his father, in October 2016.

After his death, Dingley's mother's home was sold for £95,000, which, added to a £9,500 ISA and other smaller savings, was enough to pay for the care home she moved into, the court heard.

But after it was discovered she was in debt, Dingley's brother, who also had power of attorney over the finances, started asking questions.

Dingley, of Westminster Road, Malvern, who admitted fraud by abuse of position at a previous hearing, has since paid back the money.

Judge Simon Ward sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work and pay £5,000 in court costs.

Judge Ward, addressing Dingley in the dock, who has dressed in a black jumper and grey blazer, said: "I told you last time, paying back the money could make all the difference.

"You are a man of previous good character. The whole point of selling the house was so your mother's care home fees could be paid."

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