A JUDGE has slammed the “horribly despicable” actions of a woman who took advantage of an elderly dementia-sufferer – stealing £3,000 from her when she became isolated during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tracey Louise Evans, 34, was handed a suspended jail term of eight months at Mold Crown Court today (Thursday, October 14) after admitting two counts of theft.

Evans, of Mount Pleasant, Middletown, was initially tasked with cleaning the victim’s home but, once the first lockdown hit, she became increasingly involved in the care of her victim as travel restrictions prevented family from visiting.

On two occasions in July, 2020, Evans accompanied the victim to the bank, in Welshpool, where she initially withdrew £3,000 on July 14. On July 31 the same bank employee who served the victim on the first occasion became suspicious and contacted police.

Prosecutor David Mainstone said the defendant told the bank employee and the victim’s family that the elderly lady wanted money withdrawn to pay for home appliances, a bathroom redecoration and even a hair appointment.

The victim was diagnosed with dementia in September 2019, the court heard, and Evans was appointed from a list of recommended cleaners.

“As the country went into lockdown, the defendant became increasingly involved in the care of her victim," Mr Mainstone said. "She always kept cash in the house and would give some to the defendant to do her shopping.”

In July last year Evans accompanied her victim to the bank to withdraw £3,000, explaining that the money was for a new fridge freezer and bathroom decoration – but on the same day she deposited £2,500 in her own account.

But when she returned to the same bank – and spoke to the same bank worker – on July 31 she gave the same explanation for the money, and the staff member called the police.

Mr Mainstone added: “The same employee by chance served them and challenged why this amount was required so soon after £3,000 had been withdrawn two weeks earlier.

"The defendant rather unwisely gave the same explanation, saying it was for a fridge freezer and bathroom renovations, telling the bank worker the money was for her husband to conduct renovations and to do the garden.”

When the employee challenged this the victim told her ‘I don’t need the £3,000’ but £500 was allowed to be withdrawn. A check on the victim’s account found that 20 minutes after leaving the bank, two cash withdrawals of £250 were made in Welshpool. CCTV footage showed the defendant had used the cash machine alone and her victim was not with her.

“When the police went to the defendant’s address, she denied stealing any money, claiming it had all been withdrawn for the victim’s benefit,” said Mr Mainstone.

“She said the £2,500 paid into her own account was from her uncle to purchase a car, but a statement from her uncle denied putting any money into her account until August, with the money going into her account on July 14."

A victim impact statement from the elderly woman’s son said Covid-19 had made his mother vulnerable. The victim has since moved to live with her son to further safeguard her and he said the betrayal of trust has shaken his mother.

Oliver King, acting for Evans, said his client was in work, and that her employers were aware of the offences.

He said: “She wants to pay it back. She has saved another £500 and, with a payment plan in place, could pay it off in a relatively short period of time.”

Judge Niclas Parry said: “You don’t need me to tell you how horribly despicable your conduct was.

“You took advantage of a 79-year-old dementia-suffering lady, who was vulnerable in the true sense of the word.

“This was a breach of a high degree of trust and it could be said she was deliberately targeted because of her vulnerability.

“I accept you are genuinely remorseful. It is obvious from the many, many letters of reference I’ve read that you acted entirely out of character and while I must mark this offence with a custodial sentence, I suspend it."

Evans was jailed for eight months for each offence, running concurrently, but the sentence was suspended for 12 months.

She was ordered to pay £500 compensation within 28 days, with the remaining balance to be paid at £50 a month. Evans must also complete 150 hours unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days to address her money management.