A WOMAN has been ordered to pay back more than £285,000 after she defrauded her mum - which resulted in her losing her home.

Hilary Furminger, of Calder Road, Stourport, was put in charge of her mother’s financial affairs following the death of her 58-year-old father, former police officer Les Furminger, in 2008.

Over a seven-year period, Furminger, aged 47, made 141 transfers to her own account from her mother’s account totalling £186,106. Her mother wasn’t aware, believing that she had financial security for years to come.

Furminger extended her home, making renovations in order that the victim could move in and a £100,000 loan was secured against the victim’s home in order to fund this.

After a few years, the victim moved back to her own home and later decided to re-decorate. When she told Furminger of her intentions, she revealed that there was no money left.

Furminger’s mother received a letter from her mortgage provider stating the home was due to be repossessed with the defendant insisting it must be a mistake and that she would "sort it".

The home was later repossessed leaving the victim with no home and little cash to start over again.

In September 2021, Furminger was charged with fraud by false representation. On 20 December 2021, at Worcester Crown Court, following a guilty plea, Furminger was convicted of the offence. On 26 January 2022, again at Worcester Crown Court, the defendant was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment.

On January 11, 2023, a confiscation order was made at Worcester Crown Court, whereby Furminger’s benefit figure from the crime was agreed to be £285,231.15.

The amount Furminger was found to have available was £3272.22 and a compensation order was made to the victim for that amount.

Furminger was given three months to pay the £3,272.22, otherwise she will be sentenced to a period of imprisonment in default of payment.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright, of the economic crime unit, West Mercia Police, said: “This is a harrowing case where the victim was left with no home and little other remaining funds due to fraud by her daughter, whom she thought she could trust.

"Furminger has received a substantial sentence and has been stripped of the limited assets she has available, totalling £3,272.22p. Whilst this is a fraction of the money she defrauded from her mother, it will go some way to compensate her.

“Furthermore, should Furminger be found to have further assets in the future, she will be required to pay these back, until the total amount of £285,231.15p has been satisfied. This case demonstrates that those who commit serious fraud will be tackled by West Mercia Police; both by bringing them to justice and by removing the proceeds of the crimes, to compensate victims.”