Callous fraudster stole over £200,000 from a relative stricken with dementia after she was put in charge of her finances
Greedy Krista Marie Pennington, 52, is jailed for three and half years after splurging stolen cash on cars, gifts and debts
A FRAUDSTER who stole more than £200,000 from a relative stricken by dementia has been jailed.
Krista Marie Pennington, 52, of Stretford Gtr Manchester, used the cash she plundered from the woman’s bank account to buy cars, gifts and pay off debts.
Her swindle began when she was put in charge of her victim’s financial affairs after being moved to a nursing home.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard that at the time the finances were in a healthy state, with a substantial amount of funds in numerous accounts.
Pennington was working at the Trafford Centre as a team leader when she was made deputy to the estate.
However, she was fired soon afterwards and was left unemployed.
Pennington first used funds from the bank account when her son approached her for a loan of £20,000.
The court heard she initially intended to pay it back, but instead she continued to withdraw cash. Pennington made cash withdrawals from the account to pay debts, gave generous gifts, bought cars and expensive camping equipment for holidays.
She also took jewellery from her home and sold it onto pawnbrokers.
In total she used £209,391.24.
Pennington was found guilty of fraud by abuse of position yesterday and was jailed for three and a half years.
DC Neil Tate said: “This was a shameless abuse of trust on a vulnerable elderly woman who suffers from dementia.
“The victim was moved to the area to be closer to her family as her health deteriorated, only for Pennington to use her money to fund her own lifestyle.
“She used the money to buy cars, go on holidays and make shop purchases of tens of thousands of pounds with only a small percentage going to the victim.
“She even took jewellery from her home and sold it to a pawnbrokers.
“It is shocking that someone would treat a vulnerable family member in this way by taking enormous sums of money for their own gain, and Pennington is fully deserving of the jail sentence she received.”