Thief stole hospital worker's £14,000 life savings weeks before he was set to retire

Tracy Wilson was a regular visitor and helped out with cleaning at her husband's 69-year-old uncle's one-bedroom flat in Houghton, where they would share lunches and chat.

Newcastle Crown Court heard as his retirement approached in 2017, Wilson helped him set up online banking to manage his accounts.

The judge in the case described it as a ‘systematic theft of £14,000, effectively the life savings of your husband's elderly uncle, just at the time he was about to retire’.

The theft was described as being unsophisticated, and the court heard she had profound financial difficulties at the time.

The judge said he could not see the benefit of sending her straight to prison.

Prosecutor Andrew Walker told the court the 49-year-old gran, who has never been in trouble before, used the opportunity to clear out all of the cash he had saved.

Mr Walker said: "She was fully involved in the setting up process, so was fully aware of various passwords, pass codes and pin numbers and the like which were necessary to use the account.

"What was happening, without his knowledge, was the systematic theft, over a period of around three months, by the defendant, of the money that he had in his bank accounts.

"The theft was carried out by her using his online banking details, which she used to transfer money from his bank account to her own bank accounts, without his knowledge."

Wilson, of Boystones Court, Albany, Washington, pleaded guilty to theft between March and June 2017.

James Gelsthorpe, defending, said Wilson's offending was unsophisticated and the name of the account the money went into "was there for all to see".

Mr Gelsthorpe handed in references to Wilson's otherwise positive good character and lifestyle, which includes her being a carer for her daughter and providing constant support for other family members.

Mr Recorder Toby Hedworth QC said the offending was "nasty" and sentenced Wilson to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.

The judge told her: "You carried out the systematic theft of £14,000, effectively the life savings of your husband's elderly uncle, just at the time he was about to retire and therefore be able to make use of what his savings were.

"You effectively wiped out his savings for his retirement."

Recorder Hedworth said Wilson had "profound financial difficulties" at the time of the theft and had many responsibilities for taking care of others.

The judge told her: "I cannot see the benefit to society in imprisoning you immediately today.

"You are able to rely on your previous good character.

"You are able to rely upon the help and support you provide for a number of members of your family.

"Why should society pay for your incarceration when you can be doing some good in the outside world."

Prosecutors have now launched proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime to seize any assets Wilson may have.

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