A 91-year-old woman suffering from dementia faced fear and apprehension when strangers stole over £2,300 from her bank account, leaving her hesitant to answer her front door. Queenie Watts, a resident of Maidstone, Kent, living alone and dependent on daily caregivers, fell victim to Kathleen Perry and Siobhan Perry after her bank card was taken from her residence. The culprits exploited the card for cash withdrawals and shopping sprees, purchasing various items such as cigarettes, vapes, trainers, and a Samsung phone.
During the trial at Maidstone Crown Court, it was revealed that Kathleen, aged 61, battled heroin addiction, while her 43-year-old daughter Siobhan struggled with crack cocaine dependency. Recently released from prison, the duo was sentenced to a combined four years behind bars for preying on the vulnerable pensioner. Prosecutor Caroline Baker highlighted Miss Watts’ heightened vulnerability due to her advanced age and Alzheimer’s condition.
The unfortunate series of events began when Miss Watts disclosed to her relatives that a woman and a child visited her, inquiring about money and taking around £70. Subsequently, Kathleen showed up at her residence while her nephew Anthony Stevens was present, claiming she needed the pensioner’s bank card for reimbursement. Despite Anthony’s request for identification, Kathleen swiftly seized the card, citing a need for a quick resolution before fleeing.
Despite Anthony’s prompt alert to the bank, the card had already been misused in multiple fraudulent transactions, resulting in a total loss of £2,303 for Miss Watts. The unauthorized transactions included a £250 withdrawal from a Tesco cashpoint, as well as purchases amounting to £370 at JD Sports and a £220 Samsung phone.
Although Miss Watts couldn’t provide a statement to the police, her niece testified in court that the elderly woman partially remembered the incident and still recalled the woman she initially perceived as kind. The family noted a significant change in Miss Watts’ behavior, with her becoming fearful of opening the door and distrusting even genuine caregivers. Sara Stevens, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed deep concern over the impact of the crime on her aunt’s well-being, both mentally and physically.
The distressing ordeal forced Miss Watts to vacate her home of two decades, further exacerbating her emotional turmoil. Fortunately, Santander reimbursed the entirety of the stolen funds. Kathleen Perry admitted to charges including burglary, 15 counts of fraud by false representation, and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order, while Siobhan Perry pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
In defense of Kathleen, Niall Doherty explained that her relapse into drug use was triggered by her daughter moving in with her, leading to criminal activities to sustain her heroin addiction. Expressing remorse on Kathleen’s behalf, Mr. Doherty acknowledged her accountability for the consequences of her actions. Similarly, Siobhan’s defense attorney, Philip Hill, attributed her downfall to drug abuse and emphasized her responsibility in misusing the bank card for crack cocaine.
At the sentencing, recorder Clive Broe emphasized the severity of the offense, labeling it as a deliberate and heartless exploitation of a frail and defenseless victim. Kathleen received a three-year and three-month prison term, while Siobhan was sentenced to nine months. Following the court proceedings, Sara expressed relief that the family could now focus on rebuilding their lives but voiced a lack of empathy towards the defendants due to the profound impact on their family.
Encouraging the offenders to seek redemption through positive change, Sara urged them to reflect on their actions and redirect their lives toward constructive endeavors to earn forgiveness and understanding.