A SENIOR councillor has praised police and other agencies for good work in catching a 71-year-old Warrington woman who stole thousands of pounds from an elderly man when she was supposed to be a caring friend.
Pamela Cooper, from Chantler Avenue, Westy, Warrington was jailed for 12 months for siphoning nearly £13,000 from a 95-year-old man’s bank account.She was also ordered to pay £12,397 in compensation within 28 days or serve a seven day default sentence.
Cooper had denied theft and attempted theft but was found guilty by the jury at Warrington Crown Court.
After the hearing, Cllr Pat Wright (pictured), Warrington Borough Council’s lead member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “This successful outcome could not have been achieved without the expertise and conscientious approach of all agencies involved in the safeguarding adults process, including the council, Cheshire Police, and the Warrington Safeguarding Board.
“Multi-disciplinary working is the key to effective adult safeguarding and let this case be a reassurance to residents that we will work together to protect victims and ensure those who take advantage of our most vulnerable are brought to justice.”
The court was told Cooper was helping an elderly couple with their shopping.
When the wife went into a care home, she continued to help out and began to take money from the husband’s bank account.
DC Emily Burgess said: “The total theft she was charged with ran to £12,942 but we will never know the true extent of the theft.”
When the victim’s health began to fail, he began to lose his capacity to look after his own finances. He also went into a care home – but Cooper continued to cash cheques to herself and withdraw substantial amounts of cash.
The net began closing in on Cooper when she requested his bank pay £20,000 from his account into hers. The manager refused.
While in a meeting with Warrington Borough Council Social Services the victim then alleged that Cooper had stolen money from him.
His niece went to his bank and discovered that £5,000 had been taken by Cooper. The bank account was immediately frozen and Cooper was arrested.
DC Burgess added: “I’d like to thank those who gave evidence, including concerned neighbours and relatives, the council and the banks involved.
“Cooper had abused the trust she had earned as a friend of this elderly couple and continued to flagrantly abuse this trust. I am pleased to see justice is done and that she is now paying the consequences for her selfish act.”
Praise for police and council as woman, 71, is jailed for a year
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