Daughter stole £18,000 from sick mother in Telford bank withdrawals

Lorraine Dunn, 46, was sentenced to a year in prison by a judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court after previously admitting the theft.

Sentencing Dunn, Recorder Mrs Tracey Lloyd-Nesling said that the thefts were "a grievous breach of trust that was brought forward only because it was discovered by your own daughter".

Prosecuting, Mr Robert James Edwards said that Dunn had been looking after her 82-year-old mother, who was partially sighted and suffered from health problems.

Her mother had handed over her bank card and pin so that Dunn could withdraw £200 on her behalf. Dunn returned with the money, but held on to the card for 10 months between December 2012 and October 2013, using it to withdraw nearly £18,000 in 89 transactions in Wellington.

The court was told that the victim's bank paper statements had been stopped and only made available online.

Mr Edwards said the victim only become aware of the issue when she received a letter from Dunn containing the card and apologising, but not explaining what she had done. The victim's grand-daughter later explained what had happened.

Dunn, of Kidsgrove, Stoke, spent the money on herself, going shopping and gambling online, the court was told.

Reading out a statement by the victim during Friday's hearing, Mr Edwards said: "Until these offences were committed she believed they had a good relationship."

The victim recently had to carry out repairs to a boiler and plumbing and instead of being able to use her savings, had had to save up out of her pension, he added.

In mitigation, Mr David Bratt, said that Dunn was a woman of previous good character who had made immediate admissions when questioned by police.

He said that the money had enabled Dunn to escape a difficult life as a carer for her partner and her mother.