A THIEVING mother-of-two has narrowly avoided a spell behind bars after stealing £2,000 from a 95-year-old with dementia.

Over two months Burnley woman Sarah Coppock withdrew £2,430 from Norma Bartholomew’s bank account, a woman, Preston Crown Court heard.

The victim was ‘extremely vulnerable’ – and relied heavily upon carers like Coppock.

Prosecuting the case, Charles Brown described how suspicions were raised after one of the defendant’s former colleagues noticed unusual withdrawals coming out of the pensioner’s bank account.

He said: “These transactions were seven withdrawals of between £100-200 in cash, totalling £1,250. The defendant had been at the victim’s address on each of the days those withdrawals took place. When questioned, she straight away admitted responsibility. She was clearly already remorseful at that stage.”

Coppock, who was one of a team of carers who looked after Ms Bartholomew, had access to her victim’s PIN and bank book as she would often go out to get groceries and cigarettes for her.

Mr Brown continued: “Further examinations of the account revealed more suspicious transactions of a similar nature that had taken place subsequently to that date, to the total sum of £550.

“When the police later examined the account, they found another three transactions, totalling £630.”

Throughout the course of her police interviews, Coppock made full admissions – stating she had stolen the money after getting into serious financial hardship through payday loans.

It was also heard that the defendant, who was over £1,500 behind on her council tax.

Defending, Neil Howard said: “Clearly the lady was very vulnerable, but my instructions are that this wasn’t the motivation behind my client’s actions.

“Initially she had intended for it to be a brief loan, her intention was always to give it back.

“This is a case where genuine remorse has been shown. She knows this was a terrible breach of trust for someone she was supposed to care for – but she has been trying to make it right."

Sentencing Coppock, of Helston Close, to 10 months in prison suspended for 12, Judge Simon Medland QC said: “She was a woman of enormous vulnerability and there is no doubt this was a shocking breach of trust.”

Coppock must also complete 20 rehabilitation requirement days and wear a curfew tag for two months.

Judge Medland QC also made a compensation order for the full amount of money, which Coppock will pay back in £50 instalments.