Man sentenced for fraud by abuse of position of an elderly woman – Newbury

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for fraud by abuse of position of an elderly woman in Newbury. 

Martin Chubb (pictured below), aged 59, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position on 22 January of this year at Reading Crown Court. 

At the same court on Thursday (11/6), Chubb was sentenced four years reduced to two years and four months’ imprisonment following a guilty plea and other factors. 

The court also imposed a surcharge, which is to be given at the conclusion at the POCA hearing.  

Chubb exploited a Lasting Power of Attorney and granted to manage his mother’s, property, finances, health and welfare. 

Between 20 August 2024 to 20 January 2026, Chubb stole money to fund his own lifestyle including paying for his wedding, holidays, clothing and other personal expenses.  

The fraud was uncovered when the victim’s other son noticed irregularities in her finances, which prompted the police investigation. 

This sadly resulted in Chubb’s mother failing to pay for his care home fees. accumulating to £22,790 which were taken from her account. 

Chubb initially stole £43,790 but some of this was paid back.  

Chubb was arrested on 20 January and charged the following day. 

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Georgina Adey who leads the Berkshire team within the Central Fraud Unit said "Chubb abused a position of trust that his own Mother gave him.  

“A Lasting Power of Attorney gives a person full access to the Donor's bank accounts in order to look after their finances when they become too unwell to do this for themselves.  

“Most of the time, Donor's chose their children or close family members to be their Attorney, and this makes sense because they are the most trusted to care for them and do right by them.  

“No mother should ever have to face the fact that their own child abused that power, spending money that should have gone to carers, on holidays, drugs, clothes and his wedding.  

“What is more hurtful is that Chubb would have likely inherited some of his mother's estate when she passed anyway. Chubb got greedy and the ease of which he could defraud his mother lured him in to take more and more.  

“Unfortunately, we are increasingly seeing frauds involving Lasting Power of Attorney in our office and they are heartbreaking for families.  

“I am delighted with Chubb's sentence, it reflects the severity of the offence and I hope it will act as a deterrent to others and demonstrate Thames Valley Police's commitment to pursue those who exploit trust for financial gain and bring them to justice on behalf of victims." 

SG 

Note to editor: 

The sentence handed to Chubb on Thursday (11/6) requires him to serve half of the term in custody, with the remainder to be served on licence. 

The POCA hearing is set for 25 September 2026 at Reading Crown Court.

Chubb's address has been amended.