Shropshire Star

Niece cleared of stealing cash from elderly Whitchurch woman

A woman has been cleared of three charges of theft from her elderly auntie after prosecutors offered no further evidence.

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At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, Judge Peter Barrie ordered the jury of six men and six women to enter not guilty verdicts on each count after 57-year-old Oakes, of Merlin Way, Crewe, paid an amount of money back to her aunt.

The court had heard during the start of the trial Oakes told police during interview that her aunt had given her the rings and that she was "suffering from the symptoms of dementia".

Oakes told officers she was within her rights to withdraw cash from the account as it was in joint names.

She said she had taken the cash out because she was concerned Mrs Hughes would fall victim to scammers and wanted to protect her. She said she hadn't spent any of it and it was still sitting in her bank account.

Judge Barrie told the jury: "I want to make it clear I am extremely grateful for the work you have done.

"The meaning of what Mr Edwards explained to you is that the prosecution have decided the most appropriate course to take is not to pursue the case further.

"The public interest is best served by the course that has been taken.

"The prosecution has decided to offer no evidence and it follows that Mrs Oakes must be acquitted on each of the three charges on the indictment."

Prosecutor Robert Edwards said the CPS had reviewed the case and decided no further evidence was to be offered after the defendant repaid a sum of money into a police holding account.

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