HEARTBREAKING NEWS: ITV Legend D!ED Penniless In Care Home After Friend Stole Her Life Saving

An actress, known for her roles in Upstairs Downstairs, Doctor Who and Love Actually, was forced to wear clothes from deceased residents at her care home after being left destitute when a friend swindled her life savings. Meg Wynn Owen, 82, real name Margaret Wright, had her hair cut by staff and couldn’t afford new clothes after conman Brian Malam, 60, fleeced £65,000 from her accounts. Costume designer Brian was entrusted with Meg’s finances back in 2014 due to her deteriorating health as she battled dementia.

However, he covertly pilfered thousands of pounds of her life savings through a mix of bank transfers to his own account, direct spending, and cash withdrawals. Meg, who p@ssed away in June 2022, was left with a £1,750.12 overdraft which was later written off by the bank. Alongside her overdraft in a Barclays account, she had £229.94 left in one and just 72p and 21p in a third and fourth bank account, reports the Mirror.

Brian, who previously admitted to fraud while occupying a position of trust, was handed a sentence of two years and eight months by a judge at Cardiff Crown Court.

During the sentencing, the court heard how Brian stole £65,000 over a span of four years – having been friends with the actress for many years.

Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said the alarm was raised by her bank when they noticed suspicious activity on her account.

She informed the court: “Mrs Wright became terribly upset about it. The matter was then reported to the police in September 2020.

“That’s how the investigation with the police started and the matter came to light.”

Following his arrest, Brian confessed he had taken thousands from her account, but claimed he had “always intended to pay her back” and that the money was solely used to purchase materials for his work.

Handing down the sentence, Judge Paul Hodson told the costume designer: “The position was that you were taking money from her bank account in significant funds and either transferring into your own account or spending it directly.

“As time went on you simply continued in what you were doing known full well the money would not be repaid realistically.'”.

“Your victim had to be dressed in clothes that belonged to deceased residents of her care home due to insufficient funds.

“She was reduced by your actions towards her.”

Along with Doctor Who, Meg boasted an extensive catalogue of television credits.

Most recognised for playing Hazel Bellamy, née Forrest, in Upstairs, Downstairs, she also featured in Gosford Park, Love Actually, Pride and Prejudice, Irina Palm, The Duellists and A Woman of Substance.

Brian will spend up to half that term behind bars before being freed on licence to complete the remainder in the community.