Chelmondiston Couple’s Confiscation Hearing Postponed to April

Simon and Rebecca Toloui faced fraud charges last year and were found guilty of abusing their position. The court gave them a suspended sentence of two years, suspended for 24 months, though they both denied the fraud charge. The total amount involved was £207,650.

Simon Toloui also received an additional punishment, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. A hearing occurred under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday. However, the hearing got delayed until April 14 as lawyers need more time to discuss.

During the trial, the court heard details about the couple’s possessions, including a fancy house and car, and foreign property. Designer handbags and home items were mentioned, along with expensive holidays and surgery. Rebecca Toloui paid £13,000 for the surgery.

The crime occurred between June 2015 and March 2019. Their adult son, who has special needs, is nonverbal and has severe autism. He requires constant, intensive care and lives in a bungalow next to them.

Simon Toloui, 68, is the son’s father, and Rebecca Toloui, 62, is his stepmother. The prosecutor, Simren Singh, spoke in court, noting Simon believed he could spend the money freely. However, the prosecution disagreed, stating both knew it wasn’t allowed.

The court learned the son received less care because they used the money. Suffolk Independent Living, a service by Suffolk County Council, made care payments directly to Mrs. Toloui. The organization fully trusted them, the court noted, and many payments went through without problems.