A woman has pleaded guilty to committing a cash fraud on her grandfather after he was taken to hospital suffering from a “severe stroke”.
Miss Rebecca Elizabeth Low, 28, of Custy Steps, Great Orton, Carlisle received a suspended prison sentence.
John Moran prosecuting told the court how Low’s grandfather had limited ability after the stroke and she was caring for him.
Between September 11 and 19th 2017 she committed fraud by false representation in that, she used his Argos card and spent over £270 on a PlayStation, and £419 on a laptop computer, she then attempted to spend over £719 on electrical items, but the transaction would not go-through as there was insufficient funds left on the card, she had spent over £1,736.90.
In mitigation Shaun Harkins said, at the time of the offences she was in a difficult situation, her ex-boyfriend had a number of debts and pressure was put on her to find money, she admits this was a breach of trust and she is very remorseful, and admits her grandfather was a vulnerable gentleman.
On sentencing the magistrates said this was a breach of trust, you have no-previous convictions and have shown remorse and your personal circumstance have been taken into account, however it crosses the custody threshold, Low was sentenced to a prison term of 18-weeks custody, but this would be suspended for a period of two-years, she has to pay court costs of £85 and a victims surcharge of £115, Low will also be under a home curfew electronically tagged for nine-weeks between 7pm and 7am.
