'Friend' siphoned £25,000 out of Rotherham OAP's bank accounts

Shaun Hamshaw (41) of Upper Rye Close, Whiston made contact with 86-year-old William Drayton in 2009, while Mr Drayton had a short stay in hospital.

Hamshaw visited the pensioner regularly between January 2010 and November 2011, while making weekly withdrawals of between £300 and £900 from his victim’s current and savings accounts.

Mr Drayton first reported his missing money to the bank before going to police.

Hamshaw was arrested in November 2011, for theft from a person and subsequently charged and found guilty of the offence.

Investigating officer DC Scott Walker said: “Hamshaw was a part of the elderly man’s life and was in a position of trust but, on seeing the amount of money held in the man’s account, he decided to breach this trust.”

Hamshaw was sentenced to four years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, after Mr Drayton testified against him.

DC Walker said: “Hamshaw helped himself to the elderly man’s money, presuming he wouldn’t notice.

“However he underestimated him, in that he found out and was also willing to give evidence against him.”