Adviser accused of £290k fraud to 'fund his lifestyle'

Bradley Stoke-based adviser Carl O'Connell is accused of taking £25,550 from 95-year-old dance teacher Joyce Harper and a further £265,020 from Helen Smith, aged 88 when she died in January this year. The former Lloyds bank adviser diverted the money to his Cheltenham and Gloucester bank by writing himself cheques in their name, the Bristol Post reported. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court the former adviser denied all charges.   'I still like him' O'Connell worked as an adviser for Lloyds bank in Westbury-on-Trym when he met dancer teacher Joyce Harper. He later set up his o...