A GRANDSON who defrauded his 92-year-old grandfather of more than £1,100 of his meagre life savings - part of which paid for his partner's breast enhancement surgery - has escaped an immediate jail sentence.

A judge at Newport Crown Court told Luke Quatrini, 35, of Afon Mead, Rogerstone, he had been "as near as you can be to going to jail" after committing five fraud offences against Clifford Bartlett during 2012 and 2013.

Quatrini, was found guilty after a trial last month, and has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He had claimed his grandfather approved the payments, was there to offer his details when payment calls were made, and was "a very helpful man"

His father Vincent, 74, and brother Richard, 31, also received suspended prison sentences for acts of fraud against the same victim, after previously pleading guilty.

A sentencing hearing was told by prosecuting counsel Emma Harries that Mr Bartlett, who lived in Bryngwyn Road, Newport, had spent time in and out of hospital and began to save money for his funeral, "to save the expense for his family".

In September 2012 there was a fire at the Quatrini's family home in Stockton Close, St Julians, Newport.

Subsequently Mr Bartlett, in hospital, offered the family the use of his home.

Vincent Quatrini told Mr Bartlett while he was in hospital, that he had taken an account pass book for safe keeping, and they had discussed withdrawing money from the Post Office account to meet cash expenses for him.

Several months later, Mr Bartlett told a relative who had joint power of attorney over his affairs, and who was visiting him in hospital, that he had a letter from the bank warning him that he did not have enough funds to pay direct debits.

There were irregularities in his accounts - he had a Post Office account and two accounts with the Nationwide, including an ISA - with unauthorised cash withdrawals that Mr Bartlett knew nothing about.

At a later visit, the relative asked Mr Bartlett if the matter had been resolved, and was told it was, and Vincent Quatrini had helped.

Later still however, Mr Bartlett told the relative the money had not been retrieved and bank statements were sought to identify the transactions.

The police were then called in.

Luke Quatrini was subsequently charged with five counts of fraud by false representation, relating to the breast surgery, a Ryanair flight to Spain, work clothing bought from Amazon, the hire of portable toilets, and the hire of surface preparation equipment, the latter two relating to a rebuilding project at Stockton Close.

Vincent Quatrini, Luke and Richard's father, was charged with one count of fraud, relating to a car insurance payment of almost £340.

Richard Quatrini was charged with two counts of fraud, involving the same car insurance payment, and the purchase of a DVD from Amazon.
All seven payments involved were made from Mr Bartlett's accounts. The total amount was £1,474.91, with the bulk involving fraud by Luke Quatrini (£1,122.94).

Mr Bartlett died in February last year. Miss Harries said it was thus inappropriate to read out a victim statement he had prepared, but added that he had been devastated by the matter, and had "deteriorated in health as a result of the police involvement".

Vincent Quatrini's defence counsel Carl Williams said his client was "still in some form of denial" about the offence, but after being advised had pleaded guilty.

Gareth Williams, for Richard Quatrini, said his offences were committed "at a time when he was showing poor judgement".

For Luke Quatrini, Huw Davies told the court that although remorse was not indicated in a pre-sentence report, " he is contrite, has expressed remorse, and wants to apologise unreservedly".

Recorder Jones told the trio: "These were mean offences. The victim was a close relative of yours who had been saving for his funeral to save his family the expense.

"He allowed you to live in his house when he was in hospital. He was elderly, vulnerable.

"I have no doubt at all that you caused upset to him when he discovered there were problems with his direct debits being met.

"The three of you should be thoroughly ashamed by what you did."
In addition to his suspended sentence, Luke Quatrini must complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,200 towards prosecution costs.

Recorder Jones told him: "You should be very grateful to your counsel for persuading to suspend these sentences. You have been as near as you can be to going to prison."

Vincent Quatrini received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 100 hours unpaid work, and must pay £200 towards prosecution costs.

Richard Quatrini also received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 100 hours unpaid work. He must also complete a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days..