Suffolk couple stole £200k intended for disabled son's care

A couple claimed more than £200,000 for care for their disabled son, but kept the money to fund their own "extravagant lifestyle".

Rebecca and Simon Toloui claimed the money from Suffolk County Council between 2015 and 2019.

They were found guilty of fraud and given a two-year suspended sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

Beccy Hopfensperger, from the council, said their actions were "shocking and appalling".

The authority said it had taken over the care of the couple's son.

Suffolk County Council, which brought the prosecution against the couple, said it believed the case to be "one of the largest direct-payment frauds".

The couple, from from Chelmondiston near Ipswich, were responsible for managing their son's direct payments from the council, which were intended to be used to pay employed carers and for activities agreed in his care and support plan.

The council paid the money into a holding account run by Suffolk Independent Living.

The company was then instructed by the Tolouis about which payments needed to be made, and ran a payroll service for the carers the Tolouis employed.

The couple's son's needs later became more complex, and the care package and payments increased.

He was moved into his own accommodation and was assessed to need round-the-clock care by two carers, which the council funded through the direct payments.

An investigation into the couple began after a review of the payments was carried out. They were found to have set up their own fictitious agency, which they claimed provided carers for their son, in order to receive the payments.

They then kept the money in a business account or transferred it to their personal accounts.

Suffolk County Council said that "during the investigation, the direct payment to the Tolouis ceased and the council worked with an experienced care provider to transition care arrangements and ensure their son was receiving the assessed level of care he needed".

Rebecca and Simon Toloui pleaded not guilty in February 2021 to charges of fraud by abuse of position between June 2015 to March 2019.

After a five-week trial in November 2023, a jury unanimously found both defendants guilty.

They were sentenced to a two-year custodial term, which was suspended for two years, and Mr Toloui was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Hopfensperger, the council's Conservative cabinet member for adult care, said: "The fact these people deliberately arranged less care hours for a disabled person and pocketed the remaining balance to fund their own extravagant lifestyle, is one thing.

"The fact that person was their own son is shocking and appalling to me."

Suffolk County Council said it would be pursuing a proceeds of crime hearing to try and recoup the stolen funds.

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