Worksop: Woman stole elderly mother’s chequebook to pay off mounting debts

Pauline Manners, 48, of Sycamore Road, pleaded guilty to theft from the person of another and four counts of fraud by false representation at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday 8th December.

In prosecution, the court heard how Manners’ elderly mother was alarmed when cheques began being paid out of her account in July of this year.

When she saw the cheques were made payable to her daughter, she realised Manners must have stolen her cheque book while she was visiting her.

Four cheques had been paid out in total, amounting to one £40 cheque, two £50 cheques and one £60 cheque.

Defence solicitor David Verity said: “Manners is so ashamed of what she has done.”

“She lives near her mother and they have always got on well.”

“But debts and bills were getting on top of her and she was in a lot of debt due to her son’s ill health and looking after him.”

She also suffers from depression and intended to pay her mother back when she got the chance, but things just got on top her.” 
“Manners was upfront about the thefts with her recent employer, and has now lost her job as a result of the incident.”

Mr Verity said that Manners and her mother have since reconciled and ‘all was forgiven’.

“Nevertheless, she pleaded guilty straight away and shows genuine remorse,” he added.

Magistrates sentenced Manners to a community order of 12 months with 100 hours of unpaid work and supervision requirement.

They said: “This incident involved a serious breach of trust.”

“What you did was particularly dishonest because your mother was a vulnerable woman.”

“The transactions may have not come to a shocking amount, but they were regular and you could have taken more were you not caught.”

“We realise you have fallen on hard times, but we still feel your crimes need to be punished.”

Manners was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and complete five education and employment sessions.