Former Banker Jailed for Stealing from Elderly Customer

Stephen Barr, a 38-year-old former link manager at the Bank of Scotland, has been sentenced to 13 months in jail for stealing nearly £18,000 from 81-year-old Douglas Crumley, who suffered from dementia. Barr exploited Crumley's vulnerabilities by transferring £10,550 into his brother's account and making ATM withdrawals totaling £7,383 between March and May 2018. The fraud was discovered when unusual activity was flagged by Lloyd's Banking Group, leading to an investigation that confirmed Barr's unauthorized transactions. Despite his previously 'stellar' career in banking, Barr's actions resulted in a significant breach of trust, which the court deemed so serious that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate punishment. Following the fraud, the bank reimbursed Crumley's family, but Barr's actions have left him socially ostracized. He admitted to feeling the weight of his crime daily, stating it has profoundly affected his life.