A CASH-strapped agency worker stole thousands of pounds from her partner’s 80-year-old Alzheimer’s suffering mum.
Nicola Clair Berry, 33, of Pulford Court, Pulford, wrote fraudulent cheques over several months to help pay off loans, credit card debts, rent and even to buy a car.
She was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for a year for each of the three fraud charges. She was also given 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay more than £4,000 compensation and £43 costs.
Carolyn Viviani, prosecuting, said: “On June 29 last year the defendant sent a Lloyds TSB cheque payable to Mobile Money, a loans company, to the sum of £1,048 sent as Dorothy Tate.
“On July 6 the defendant entered Castle Garage, North Wales, where she purchased a Vauxhall Corsa, sending a Lloyds TSB cheque for the sum of £2,057 - again the cheque was signed as Dorothy Tate.”
Berry’s fraud then spiralled out of control as she set up a bank account in the complainant’s name.
In October, after five months of spending, she handed herself in to police, admitting to sending two false cheques, setting up the bank account as well multiple other cheques to help clear her £7,000 debt.
She first got hold of the cheque book when Berry and her partner visited Dorothy Tate’s house to take items for safe keeping.
Howard Jones, defending, said: “This is a part of her life where for the first time some very poor decisions were made.
“Over a period of time debts began to rise from loans and credit cards which obviously have become a major burden. Her situation was compounded by rent.
“It had always been her intention to pay the money back before it came to anyone’s notice. She is appalled by her own behaviour.”
Berry pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud and writing a false cheque.
