Police describe case of corrupt Yorkshire social worker Hilary Tideswell who stole £550,000 from frail victims in her care as 'particularly distressing'.

Hilary Tideswell was locked up for seven years and nine months yesterday (July 6) for a deception which enabled her to live a luxury lifestyle as she plundered the bank accounts of two victims.

Leeds Crown Court heard Tideswell preyed upon an 81-year-old woman who was suffering from dementia by illegally obtaining power of attorney without her knowing.

She took advantage of the vulnerable woman after discovering she was ineligible for council funding as she had £500,000 in savings and a house.

The 63-year-old defendant was able to obtain unrestricted access to the victim's bank account and also managed to sell her home in the village of Menston.

The Bradford Council care worker spent the stolen cash on lavish holidays and Rolex watches.

Tideswell went on to abuse her power by targeting another vulnerable male victim.

The Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit, Ramona Senior, said: “At the heart of this case were two vulnerable victims who have now sadly passed away.

“Despite the victims no longer being with us we have been determined to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.

“She now has time in jail to consider the consequences of her actions.”

“It is particularly distressing when people within a position of trust abuse this to their own advantage.

At the sentencing hearing, the niece of the elderly victim read a statement to the court.

The woman, who appeared in court via a videolink from Canada, said: "I put my trust in [Hilary Tideswell] to look out for my aunt’s best interests, including protecting her, caring for her, communicating for her, paying her bills and ensuring that in her final years she felt protected.

“Since physical separation did not allow me and my family to fulfil these functions personally it was important for me to know that someone was advocating for her.’”

West Yorkshire Police are urging people who may have been the victim of fraud to report their concerns.

The officer continued: "Safeguards are in place to protect the vulnerable but they are not failsafe and any person concerned about the welfare or financial affairs of a relative or friend should always report their concerns to the relevant Local Authority or Police.”

"If you have been a victim of fraud, there is a network of support and information available to you.

"Sometimes people choose not to report fraud or seek advice because they are embarrassed that they fell for a scam, con, swindle, or any other word used to describe the crime.

"Remember that fraud is a crime and that fraudsters will constantly reinvent themselves to find new ways of tricking people. Anyone could be a victim."