A mother and son plundered the savings of a "simple" elderly labourer who had devoted his working life to their family farm, writes Sarah Brown.

Leslie Bawden, 81, who began working at Clattercote Priory Farm, Claydon, near Banbury, when he was 14, was fleeced of more than £33,000 by Joan Taylor and her son Adrian.

After six years of court proceedings, the Taylors have been ordered to repay Mr Bawden with interest - a sum amounting to about £70,000. Oxfordshire County Court heard Mr Bawden spent 60 years working at the farm. He was paid £5 a week "pocket money" and the rest of his earnings were paid into savings accounts by his employer, Joseph Hillier.

But the day after Mr Hillier died, his daughter, Joan Taylor, 65, who was charged with caring for Mr Bawden, raided the old man's savings and took more than £12,800.

Her son Adrian Taylor, 42, borrowed more than £12,500 without Mr Bawden's permission as a "loan". The court heard Mr Bawden was later persuaded to include a clause in his will, releasing Adrian from repaying the loan.

The court heard Mrs Taylor also forged Mr Bawden's signature to take more than £7,000 of his state pension.

Judge Charles Harris described the case as a "sad and curious tale". Mr Bawden was a "simple and unsophisticated" man who had entrusted his finances to his employer. He said Mrs Taylor's behaviour had been "wholly inappropriate", adding: "She is very lucky to have avoided criminal prosecution."

Judge Harris said Joseph Hillier's son, Robert had supported Mr Bawden throughout the case.

The court heard Joseph Hillier's will stipulated Mrs Taylor should care for Mr Bawden and pay him £5 a week for the rest of his life.

Mrs Taylor said the money should be set against board she provided for Mr Bawden.

Story date: Friday 23 April

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