[A] WOMAN who fleeced her own brother, emptying his savings account and spending more than £12,000, has been spared immediate prison.
May Irving, 65, was trusted by her sibling, Michael Fincham, to look after his bank card and PIN details while he was working in Nigeria.
However, Mr Fincham returned to the UK to find Irving had plundered his savings and current accounts without permission. Several times, between February, 2013, and June the following year, she withdrew £300 at a time from cash machines. On one occasion she spent money on a Travelodge.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how her crime left Mr Fincham “deeply hurt”, “betrayed” and financially “trapped”.
Irving initially denied the offence but later pleaded guilty to stealing £12,278.45.
At the crown court today (FRI), Recorder Michael Murray suspended a 14-month jail term for two years after hearing Irving was the carer for her poorly husband.
She must observe a three-month night-time curfew, was placed under supervision and ordered to pay her brother £5,000 compensation.
“This was bad offending,” Recorder Murray told Irving, of Petton Place, Gosforth, near Seascale. “You fleeced your brother’s bank account. He returned to find all his savings had been frittered away by you.”
