CHARD PROBATE LAWYER KEITH WEBBER SENTENCED FOR £300,000 FRAUD AND CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN BRISTOL COURT

In a detailed and disturbing case that has shocked the community of Chard and the wider Bristol area, Keith Webber, a probate lawyer, has been sentenced to a significant prison term after being found guilty of a series of serious criminal offenses. The case revealed a pattern of deception, financial exploitation, and criminal misconduct involving vulnerable elderly clients, as well as the disturbing discovery of child abuse images on his personal computer.

Webber, who operated a business initially known as Will Power and later rebranded as KEW Wills, exploited his professional position to manipulate and defraud four elderly and vulnerable individuals. These victims entrusted him with their estates, believing him to be a trustworthy legal professional. Instead, Webber used his influence to persuade them to make large gifts and transfer assets into his name, often under the guise of legal fees or generous donations. His methods included exaggerating his charges and convincing clients to sign over their property and assets, which he then stole for his personal benefit.

Among his most egregious acts was convincing a client to purchase an £11,000 Jaguar car for him and persuading another to buy a £3,000 funeral plan for his wife, Joan Webber, charging a £150 agent’s fee for the service. In one particularly brazen act, Webber forged a will two weeks after the death of a woman, effectively manipulating her estate for his own gain. He also persuaded his clients to make 'very generous' gifts to him during their final days, further demonstrating his exploitation of their trust and vulnerability.

Webber’s criminal activities extended beyond financial fraud. During the investigation, authorities uncovered a disturbing cache of 513 child abuse images stored on his computer. This revelation added a deeply troubling dimension to his character and conduct. Webber pleaded guilty to nine counts of possession of indecent images, and in recognition of this, he was sentenced to an additional six months in jail, to run concurrently with his other sentences.

His fraudulent schemes were carried out over a period of time, with the court hearing that he had manipulated the trust of his sister-in-law, Esther Larn, her husband David, and two other elderly women, Audrey Jarvis and Vera Costan. The victims believed Webber was a professional and honest lawyer, but he instead engaged in acts of deception aimed at enriching himself at their expense. Prosecutor Rupert Lowe described how Webber’s actions involved convincing these vulnerable individuals to part with tens of thousands of pounds, often through exaggerated fees or generous gifts, all while abusing his position as a legal authority.

Webber’s criminal conduct was thoroughly examined at Bristol Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of six counts of fraud and theft. The court heard that over a span of 13 months, the Larn family alone paid Webber more than £62,000 in gifts, petrol, and legal fees. The court also noted his repeated visits to see Audrey Jarvis in Surbiton, Surrey, indicating a pattern of ongoing exploitation.

During the sentencing, Judge Graham Hume Jones condemned Webber’s actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the abuse of his role as a holder of powers of attorney and executor. The judge stated, “The offence of fraud involves the abuse of your position as the holder of powers of attorney and as the executor of these. You forged a will and you sold some items of personal possession while acting as the executor of that estate. Your offences involve deception aimed at four elderly people, your wife’s sister and her husband, and two other elderly ladies. These offences were confidence fraud offences which targeted four vulnerable victims.”

Throughout the proceedings, Webber remained emotionless as the sentence was handed down. His criminal record now includes convictions for fraud, theft, forgery, and possession of indecent images, marking a significant fall from grace for a man who once held the trust of his community in Chard. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and integrity within the legal profession, especially when dealing with the most vulnerable members of society.