A 91-year-old woman suffering from dementia was left feeling frightened to answer her own front door after a mother and daughter stole over £2,300 from her bank account.
Queenie Watts, living alone and dependent on daily carers, became a target of Kathleen Perry and Siobhan Perry after her bank card was taken from her residence in Maidstone, Kent. The duo proceeded to use the card for withdrawals and shopping sprees, purchasing various items like cigarettes, vapes, trainers, and a Samsung phone.
During the trial at Maidstone Crown Court, it was revealed that Kathleen, 61, struggled with a heroin addiction, while her daughter Siobhan, 43, battled crack cocaine addiction. Both individuals had recently been released from prison.
The court sentenced the pair to a combined four-year jail term after learning how they took advantage of the vulnerable senior citizen. Prosecutor Caroline Baker highlighted that Miss Watts, due to her age and Alzheimer’s condition, was particularly susceptible to exploitation.
Concerns arose when Miss Watts disclosed to her relatives that a woman accompanied by a child had visited her, inquiring about money and then taking around £70. Subsequently, Kathleen showed up at her residence while her nephew Anthony Stevens was present. She requested the pensioner’s bank card, claiming she needed it for repayment, but when questioned, she hastily grabbed the card without identification and fled.
Despite Anthony’s swift action to alert the bank, the card was used for fraudulent transactions amounting to £2,303 before being blocked. The unauthorized transactions included a £250 withdrawal from a Tesco ATM, as well as purchases totaling £370 at JD Sports and a £220 Samsung phone.
Although Queenie couldn’t provide a statement to the police, her niece informed the court that she remembered the incident and still mentioned the woman she believed was kind to her.
The family described how Queenie became fearful of opening the door and grew so distrustful that she refused entry to genuine carers. Sara Stevens, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed their concerns about the crime’s impact on her aunt’s mental and physical health, emphasizing Queenie’s vulnerability and the cruelty of the perpetrators.
Miss Watts was compelled to leave her residence of 20 years, adding to her distress, but was fortunately reimbursed by Santander for the stolen amount.
Kathleen Perry, residing in Park Wood, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to burglary, 15 counts of fraud by false representation, and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order. Siobhan Perry, also from Maidstone, admitted to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
During the sentencing, recorder Clive Broe remarked that there was little mitigation for either defendant, emphasizing the deliberate and heartless nature of their actions towards a vulnerable elderly victim. Kathleen received a prison term of three years and three months, while Siobhan was sentenced to nine months.
Following the court proceedings, Sara expressed relief that the family could now look ahead to the future, highlighting the emotional turmoil caused by the crime and urging the perpetrators to turn their lives around to demonstrate genuine remorse.
