BRADFORD MAN’S PRISON SENTENCE INCREASED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND FRAUD
A Bradford man named Barry Riley has had his prison sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Lucy Frazer QC MP.Riley, aged 63 and from East Morton near Bradford, exploited his position of trust to steal over £100,000 from Ann Skelton, a disabled woman who had granted him Power of Attorney over her finances.
He would travel weekly from Bradford to stay with Mrs.
Skelton, then 75, at her home in Bristol, and between 2015 and 2018, he abused his role for personal financial gain.
On 10 March 2018, Riley attempted to murder Mrs.
Skelton by smothering her with a pillow, but he stopped short of killing her.
The police were alerted.
Riley claimed that Mrs.
Skelton had asked him to help her end her life, but she clarified that he had attacked her.
Mrs.
Skelton died in May 2018, but not due to any injuries from the attack.
Her family and the police later uncovered Riley’s extensive fraudulent activities.
He had 24 previous convictions for 73 offences.
At the time of arrest, small amounts of cannabis and cocaine were also found in his possession.
Riley pleaded guilty to attempted murder, initially claiming he was asked by Mrs.
Skelton to help her end her life, but this basis was rejected.
He was convicted of fraud after a trial and admitted to possessing class A and B drugs.
On February 25, 2021, Riley was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in Bristol Crown Court.
Following the court's decision, his sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which increased it to 15 years.
The Solicitor General stated, 'Riley stole from a vulnerable woman who considered him a friend.
To escape detection, he then sought to take her life.
Sadly, Ann Skelton never lived to see justice delivered, but I hope today’s decision by the Court of Appeal will bring some comfort to her family.'
