A MAN was jailed for four years after being found guilty of stealing more than �63,000 from his father-in-law.

Colin Bloom, 46, of Monksgate, Thetford, was, together with other family members, part of a live-in care team for George Richards.

Mr Richards’ son - who had power of attorney of his father’s bank account - later noticed large sums of money were missing.

The victim died in 2010 with just �400 in his bank account, despite having a regular monthly income of more than �1,000 and little outgoings.

Police said when they interviewed Bloom he admitted making withdrawals from his father-in-law’s account, but, apart from saying he was expensive to support, gave no reasons for the thefts.

Detective constable Gemma Weeks, of Norfolk police, who led the investigation, said: “The systematic draining of an elderly relative’s bank account is an extreme abuse of trust.

“This was an abhorrent crime which was rightfully reported to us so that it could be investigated extensively.”

In a statement Mr Richards’ family said: “On behalf of the family we are a very pleased that, after nearly three weeks, the trial against Colin and Dawn Bloom has now ended.

“We would like to thank, in particular, Detective Constable Gemma Weeks and her colleagues of the adult abuse investigation unit, for the considerable amount of time put in over the past year and a half to investigate the alleged offence against our father.

“At all times the professionalism of DC Weeks was of the highest order and we are grateful for her diligence and support both during the investigation and during the trial.

“The jury was meticulous in listening to the evidence and returned a verdict of guilty for Colin Bloom and not guilty for our sister Dawn Bloom, we believe that was the right verdict and we thank them for their diligence.

“This verdict in no way diminishes the standard of personal care provided to our father during the last seven years of his life, this standard of personal care was never in question.

“As a family we can now move on from this very difficult time.”