A former employee of Barclays bank in Twickenham has been jailed for 30 months after stealing more than £22,000 from a 95-year-old’s account.

Former branch manager Barry Gillard pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, September 6, after stealing from Frederick Castleton.

The 31-year-old’s crime was revealed when staff spotted an irregularity in the account of Mr Castleton, who died two months ago.

A Barclays spokesman said: “Barclays spends a great deal of time and money protecting the interests of our customers and ourselves against the actions of would-be fraudsters. No priority comes higher.

“Customers should be reassured that if they fall victim to fraud on their account they are protected and won’t suffer financial loss as a result.

“We have a zero tolerance policy towards staff fraud. Where any employee involvement is suspected, individuals will be suspended, investigated and where there is evidence of misconduct dismissed.”

In an unrelated incident, former financial planning manager at the branch, James Finnigan, 42, was jailed for four years in July, after stealing more than £600,000 from customers’ accounts to feed his gambling habit.