A former Methodist minister has been sentenced to prison for defrauding an elderly and vulnerable friend out of £100,000.
Paul Flowers, who also was the Co-op Bank chairman for a number of years, exploited his friend Margaret Jarvis, who had dementia, using her money for holidays and drugs, Manchester Crown Court was told.
Known as the "Crystal Methodist," Flowers appeared in court using a walking stick and wearing a grey top. He pleaded guilty to 18 counts of fraud and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Flowers had been granted Power of Attorney for Jarvis, a retired teacher, before her death in 2016. He exploited her trust, stealing from her bank account, which contained her private pensions, and misusing funds meant for charities and family. Despite Jarvis’s wishes to leave money to causes like an orphanage and a donkey sanctuary, only one niece received her share, and the charities were left empty-handed.
During the trial, it was revealed that Flowers misappropriated over £60,000 of her money, spending it on personal luxuries, including holidays, a bespoke staircase, and drugs, particularly cocaine.
In his defence, Flowers’ lawyer cited his struggles with addiction and health issues, acknowledging that his betrayal was a significant fall from grace. Judge Nicholas Dean KC condemned the betrayal, saying: "You took on the Power of Attorney at a time when you knew that was not the right thing to do... You stole almost £100,000 first from Margaret Jarvis and then from her estate."
Flowers’ past was also marred by drug use, including a 2013 incident where he was filmed buying crystal meth, leading to his resignation from the Co-op Bank and subsequent bans from the financial services industry.
A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for 21st July.