A nursing home boss who preyed on vulnerable elderly people to defraud them of millions in life savings has been jailed for 21 years after the biggest fraud investigation ever undertaken by Merseyside Police.

David Barton (formerly known as Ramamurthie Dasaratha), 63 years, of Oxford Road, Birkdale has been jailed after a three-year investigation into a fraud worth millions of pounds at Barton Park Nursing Home in Southport. He was also disqualified from being a director for a maximum of 15 years.

Rosemary Booth, 69 years, of Hesketh Drive, Southport – who acted as general manager of Barton park Nursing Home - has also been jailed, for six years, for her part in the conspiracy to defraud.

The pair were convicted on 11 May following a trial that lasted 12 months, the longest in the history of Merseyside Police and Liverpool Crown Court.

Barton Park

David Barton was found guilty of defrauding residents of his nursing home over a 16-year period, since 1998. He was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing, and Rosemary Booth was released on bail after being convicted of her part in the conspiracy.

The offences came to light in February 2014 when David Barton attempted to sue the family of one of his victims for non-payment of money which he falsely claimed he was owed.

Concerns were raised by solicitors representing the estate of Katie Willey, who had passed away, and her husband Gordon Willey. They believed a fraudulent £8m civil action had been brought by David Barton against the couple to settle an alleged contract which he claimed Katie had verbally agreed to before her death.

David and Lucinda Barton were arrested on 13 June 2014 when documents and computers were seized.

As Barton’s activities and finances were probed, the investigation identified a total of six victims who had been defrauded of millions of pounds.

Most were women who had recently lost their husbands, were wealthy and had no dependants. No contracts have ever been identified and Barton claimed they had made verbal agreements to gift him money, leave it in their wills or made an agreement to provide lifelong care in exchange for all their wealth.

The investigation established that Barton had been identifying wealthy elderly people and grooming them, isolating them from their family and taking control of their assets and finances until he became their executor and residual beneficiary of their wills.

Large payments were then taken from the victims’ accounts which was then spent on properties and vehicles by David Barton.

After the arrests, David Barton sold four Ferraris for more than £1m, and two Rolls Royce vehicles for £250,000 before a Financial Restraint was granted to prevent the selling of 20 properties and four more vehicles with an estimated total value of £6-8m.

Barton Rolls Royces





Detective Inspector Jon Smith, who led the investigation, said: "We welcome the fact that David Barton and Rosemary Booth are now behind bars.

"For 16 years, they preyed upon wealthy elderly people in Southport, bleeding them of their hard-earned savings and enjoying a lavish lifestyle of fast cars, holidays and multiple properties as a result.

"Barton ruthlessly groomed his victims, gaining their trust and confidence to such an extent that when we spoke to his victims, some found it very difficult to accept that they were victims.

"But our team of detectives were determined to unravel the truth – that he had heartlessly exploited vulnerable people when they most needed someone to care for them.

"These were people who had worked hard all their lives, only for David Barton to step in, pretend to have their best interests at heart – then take thousands and thousands of pounds of their money.

"His offending came to light because his greed led him to sue a family who realised an £8m civil claim against them was fraudulent.

"I want to thank that family, who have undoubtedly spared other families from suffering the same fate by coming forward with their concerns.

"Our priority was always to deliver justice for the victims, and to prevent more elderly people from being defrauded by Barton. It has been a long and complex investigation, but being here for today’s result has made those efforts feel worthwhile.

"I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our investigating officers who spent three years going through a huge amount of evidence, speaking to witnesses and interviewing Barton, Booth and others.”

David Barton was found guilty after trial of:

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• Theft - contrary to section 1(1) of the Theft Act 1968

• 2 x theft contrary to section 1(1) of the Theft Act 1968

• Fraud contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 • Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• False accounting contrary to section 17(1) of the Theft Act 1968

• Transferring criminal property, contrary to Section 327(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (money laundering)

Rosemary Booth was found guilty after trial of:

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

• Conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law

He won’t be driving those fancy sports cars any time soon then.

Should be deported when he has completed his sentence.

So to all his cronies and members of his family who turned a blind eye to his life of crime, watch your backs ...........

The Other Site not even running the story at all.

Originally Posted by local

So to all his cronies and members of his family who turned a blind eye to his life of crime, watch your backs ...........

Aye! There has been far too many criminals taking advantage of the elderly people - wonder just how many other Rest Home Oligarchs have made themselves rich in the same way considering just how fast so many of these establishments were created in the seventies? I sincerely hope that everyone of those is also investigated.

Does his fifteen year ban on being a director run concurrent with his prison sentence?

It would not matter anyway - for the Law allows another member of the same family to become a director instead, so it is a bit useless that.

I wonder how many other care home owners out there are sweating a bit now ? Having visited a number of homes recently while looking for one for my mum, I bet there are a few feeling a bit uncomfortable after hearing the news.

I do hope that they snatch everything he "owns" and reimburses the families

Seems to me a lot of these types who come to this country make their millions,and then are found out later to be criminals by the courts.......And they come over here with virtually nothing ? Then a few years later they get found out.........serves these people right,and there will be more to follow no doubt ?

With any luck his two sons, you know that "********" Councillor twot will be found guilty as well in November LOL.

Actually knew the verdict beginning of July old news really... Not what you know but who.

Gossip is they wanted to exhume Katie Willey but may have been cremated instead so not sure, as maybe she didn't die naturally!!!

That said what can of worms may yet be turned over by relatives??

A thoroughly "evil" barsteward and I bet he doesn't bend down to pick the soap up in prison.

Great result.

Yes its who you know,I hear it was 3 people they wanted to exhume all 3 were cremated,I can think of someone else who owns a lot of care homes and hotels who is just a dodgy and wants investigating

Originally Posted by paulollie

With any luck his two sons, you know that "********" Councillor twot will be found guilty as well in November LOL.

Actually knew the verdict beginning of July old news really... Not what you know but who.

Gossip is they wanted to exhume Katie Willey but may have been cremated instead so not sure, as maybe she didn't die naturally!!!

That said what can of worms may yet be turned over by relatives??

A thoroughly "evil" barsteward and I bet he doesn't bend down to pick the soap up in prison.

Great result.