A grandson who subjected his elderly grandparents to years of intimidation, abuse and financial exploitation has been jailed after leaving them penniless and reliant on food banks to survive.
Ashley Partington, 33, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after a court heard he repeatedly threatened his grandparents with weapons, stole thousands of pounds from their pensions and sold their belongings to fund his addictions.
Plymouth Crown Court was told that Partington moved into his grandparents’ home after they took him in, only to embark on what a judge described as “astonishingly appalling conduct” over a three-year period. Instead of showing gratitude, he subjected the vulnerable couple to fear, financial ruin and emotional distress.
The court heard that Partington took around £5,000 from their State pensions and a small private pension, draining them of every penny they had. As a result, the couple were unable to afford food or heat their home and were forced to rely on food banks.
Judge Robert Linford said Partington had “frightened and attacked” his grandparents, sold their possessions and left them in “dire financial circumstances”.
“You took every penny they had, causing them to go to a food bank to get something to eat,” the judge said. “You caused them untold misery.”
Prosecutor Nick Lewin told the court that the couple, aged 85 and 78, were unable to put food on the table or keep their home warm. He said Partington sold anything of value in the house, including personal items and kitchen equipment, to fund his lifestyle.
The court also heard that Partington misused his grandparents’ Motability car and racked up debts from speeding offences committed in their name, despite being disqualified from driving due to a poor record.
In victim personal statements, the grandparents described how Partington refused to leave after moving into their front room and stayed with them for around 30 months. Initially, he asked for small sums of money, but his demands escalated over time.
He lied to them repeatedly, claiming he needed money to pay police fines and avoid jail. On one occasion, they even went to a police station to hand over cash, later discovering he had spent it on a nightclub visit.
The couple also said he took money meant for electricity top-ups, leaving them without power when the supply ran out the next day.
Partington’s grandfather said they lived in constant fear and barely slept due to threats made against them. He suffered two heart attacks in 2024 and 2025, surviving the second only because paramedics were nearby.
Since Partington was remanded in custody, the couple said their situation has improved, with enough money to buy food, heat their home and replace some furniture.
Partington admitted two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and driving while banned. He was also banned from driving for four years and given a five-year restraining order preventing contact with his grandparents.
