Dishonest Durham Carer Told To Pay Up

A dishonest carer has been ordered to repay cash stolen from an elderly lady. Sharon Brown befriended 78-year-old Margaret Savage of Newton Hall, Durham City, after working for her as a visiting carer.

Mrs Savage has since died.

Durham Crown Court heard Brown took Mrs Savage’s debit card and withdrew £3,850.

Prosecutor Mark Giuliani said Brown was known by staff at a branch of Pagebet bookmakers in Newton Hall to be a heavy user of slot machines.

“It is the Crown’s case that is where most of the money went,” added Mr Giuliani.

At a hearing earlier this year, Brown, 36, of Valley Drive, Esh Winning, admitted theft of a debit card and theft of £3,850 between May and July, 2005.

Judge Richard Lowden sentenced Brown to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

David Callan, defending, said Brown’s husband left her recently and she has four children to look after.

Judge Richard Lowden ordered Brown to pay £2,358 to the estate of Mrs Savage within one year.

The judge ordered a 45-day prison sentence in default of payment.