A COUNCIL debt collector faces trial over the accusation she abused her position of trust to siphon £50,000 from a vulnerable man in his 90s over three years.

Lorraine Bourne, who denies wrongdoing in the course of her duty, will now stand trial at Swindon Crown Court in the new year alongside co-defendant Dennis Boorman.

Bourne, 57, of Pheasant Close, is said to have committed fraud by abuse of her position as a Swindon Borough Council debt collector to make a cash gain from the elderly man between January 2011 and January 2014, while she held power of attorney over him.

It is alleged Bourne was able to acquire the sum of around £50,000 for herself through facilitating the sale of his home.

A further charge of fraud by abuse of position has been brought against her in respect of a second complainant, between October 2012 and July 2014.

Two further charges against Bourne include acquiring criminal property, namely cash, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and another of false accounting – by changing the amounts paid on a Swindon Borough Council receipt book.

Boorman, 62, of Midwinter Gardens, is accused of accepting some of the cash gained.

He has denied one count of acquiring criminal property, and one count of possessing criminal property.

Both defendants have now been sent to Swindon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on January 8.

James Burnham, prosecuting, yesterday told Swindon magistrates all the offences should be heard in the crown court due to the vulnerability of the alleged victims and sums of money involved.

“The position is one complainant is a gentleman in his early 90, and very vulnerable,” he said.

“The defendant, Ms Bourne, obtained the power of attorney to deal with financial affairs. In course his house was sold for an amount in the region of £80,000.

“£50,000 the Crown say was spent by the defendant on herself. We say a quantity of those proceeds went to her co-defendant, hence the charges he faces.

“£50,000 is a huge sum of money, and there is a substantial breach of trust involved from her role. If convicted, there is the prospect of a substantial custodial sentence as a result.

“Both cases are inextricably linked.”

Ben Worthington, defending, said: "They will indicate not guilty pleas to the offences.

“They clearly are linked, and if convicted, this would be a matter in which the crown court would need its sentencing powers available to it. I can’t disagree this needs to go to the crown court.”

Bourne and Boorman were released on conditional bail not to contact the complainant in the case.