Paul Flowers stole £100k from a friends will. He spent it on an extravagant lifestyle and drugs, instead of charity.
Flowers was her power of attorney, and had known her for many years. Margaret Jarvis, a retired teacher, had no husband or kids. She wanted her money to go to charities after she died and, as she got older, she got dementia.
Flowers proceeded to spend her money on himself, using it for an “extravagant lifestyle.” This included trips, booze, and home upgrades. He even wrote himself checks for over £40,000.
Flowers also took about £70,000 in cash. He spent some of the money on drugs. Papers filmed him buying crystal meth in 2013. Even after her death in 2016, he kept stealing and spent the money until it was almost all gone.
For a few years, he took her pension money. The bank noticed payments after her death in 2019 and reported the crime to police. Flowers then admitted fraud in July 2024.
He was sentenced to three years in jail. The judge called it a “betrayal.” Flowers abused his position as executor and friend. The money should have gone to charity, but instead, he spent it on himself, using it for travel, food, and wine.
Flowers and Miss Jarvis had worked on charity projects together, and he knew her wishes for her will. His actions have been punished, said the police. They had even built a home for kids in South Africa and taken holidays together.
Miss Jarvis gave Flowers power of attorney in 1995. She trusted him due to his position as a minister and councillor. In 2004, she made him executor of her will, leaving money to family, but also intending that charities should get money, including a donkey home and guide dogs.
Flowers had problems and was addicted to drugs, something Miss Jarvis did not know. Flowers later admitted possessing drugs when this happened in Leeds. He spent her money on fun stuff, buying theatre tickets and wine.
He paid for trips and nice hotels and installed a new staircase for almost £15,000. Only one niece received her money, and Miss Jarvis would be horrified.
Flowers went to college, then became a minister. Later, he became head of the Co-op Bank. He struggled with his sexuality, which led to his drug use. His troubles were in the news, and a hearing will try to get back the stolen money at a later date.