A gambling addict who stole more than £5,000 from her blind 90-year-old uncle during his final days was spared prison.
Eleanor Hilton, 48, spent nearly £3,000 of John Larrissey’s money on a Mecca bingo website while caring for the pensioner.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that when Mr Larrissey went into hospital before his death in March this year, his niece took a further £2,500 to spend on shopping.
Hilton, of Buxton Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, was trusted to look after her uncle, who was registered blind, and had access to his bank card and pin number.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said that after Mr Larrissey died on March 26, his daughter went through his bank accounts.
She noticed that on December 4 last year numerous payments started being made to a Mecca Grosvenor website.
Mr Jones said Hilton used his card details to register with the site and gambled £2,880 over a four-month period.
The victim’s daughter then spotted that from February 4 purchases were made at supermarkets and newsagents, along with cash withdrawals adding up to £2,525.
She called Hilton to ask if she knew whether the bank card had been lost.
The tearful defendant immediately said “it was me, I’m really sorry” and later confessed to police that she had a gambling problem and alcohol addiction.
The court heard the Royal Bank of Scotland has since reimbursed the family and the victim’s daughter said she wanted Hilton to get help, rather than be sent to jail.
Hilton, with long black hair and wearing a white jumper in the dock, admitted theft. She had no previous convictions.
Gerald Pachter, defending, said it was “a very sad case” and his client, who is a grandmother, was absolutely petrified to be in court.
Mr Pachter said: “She is genuinely remorseful. She loved her uncle and it has to be said, he also loved her.
“There was a good relationship, which in a way makes it even more shameful for her.
“She uses the word sullied because she has sullied the relationship as he has passed on. It is something that she will have to live with.”
He said Hilton was tackling her gambling and drinking problems “and winning the battle with both”.
Recorder Andrew Long handed Hilton a 12-month sentence, suspended for a year, plus a 30-day rehabilitation order.
The judge said: “You don’t need me to tell you these were serious offences because you know already.
“They were wholly out of character for you and I’m satisfied were committed partly because your alcohol problems were out of control and your gambling problems didn’t help either.
“I am satisfied there is good in you and if given a chance today you won’t commit further offences.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/