Mansfield woman stole cash from elderly stroke victim's bank account - to buy cat food
Tracey Zuerner, 48, of Brick Kiln Lane, admitted fraud by abusing a position of trust.
Nottingham Crown Court heard she had been appointed by the local authority to manage the finances of her neighbour, who had speech and mobility problems following a stroke.
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Hide AdSarah Knight, prosecuting, said: “Zuerner, as his neighbour and friend, agreed to look after his finances and make payments on his behalf.”
In August 2014 a friend of the victim saw various transactions on his bank statement and challenged Zuerner to account for them.
Ms Knight said: “She said she had been using his credit card after her card was lost.
“There was an agreement there would be no more ‘borrowing’ of his money.”
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Hide AdHowever, in January 2015 Zuerner bought £118 of cat food using her neighbour’s money and the police were called.
The court heard Zuerner had no previous convictions, but had been cautioned in March 2006 for opening a bank account using a relative’s details.
Claire Moran, mitigating, said the amount taken put it in the lowest category for this kind of offence.
Judge Jeremy Lea said: “This was a mean offence. I appreciate your initial involvement was in order to try and assist.
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Hide Ad“You weren’t trying to line your own pockets, but you did take advantage of the trust placed in you. In my book that’s a serious matter. It’s made more serious by your previous conviction.”
Zuerner was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community work.
He told her she must also pay £400 compensation “for the money that has been lost and for the upset and distress caused”.