A former public guardian who ripped off more than a dozen vulnerable seniors was granted parole only eight months into his six-year sentence, family and friends of his victims have been shocked to learn.

Bryan Tickell used his position as a public guardian and trustee caseworker to commit his crimes by writing himself into one elderly client's will, signed another's property over to himself, and drove around in another's PT Cruiser.

In June 2009 a provincial court judge convicted him of three counts of fraud and sentenced him to six-years in prison. But eight months later the parole board released Tickell on day parole.

That means since February the convicted fraudster has been living in a halfway house, able to look for employment. And in June, he'll be eligible for full parole.

Victim's family not informed

Ivan Derlago, who blew the whistle on Tickell when he found the fraudster's name in his brother's will, says the fraudster should be serving his time behind bars, not walking around looking for a job.

"You don't have people handcuffed to a police officer. You still have a life, so I'm very disappointed in it," said Derlago.

"Give him parole in three years. Let him serve at least half of that right in the can," he said.

Derlago also says he should have been notified about Tickell's release, rather than learning about it from the media.

Elaine Henderson was a close friend of another one of Tickells victims. The fraudster transferred the elderly woman's property into his name and then sold it for more than a million dollars.

"We're obviously very disappointed and right now it's the parole's responsibility to watch him very closely, very closely. We just hope that Mr. Tickell will become a better citizen and realize the mistakes he's made," said Henderson.

Tickell committed the crimes while working for as a Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. The provincial agency is mandated to protect the legal and financial interest of children, adults who require assistance in decision-making, and deceased and missing persons.