A FRAUDSTER who befriended a sufferer of senile dementia before fleecing her of up to £1,500 in life savings has failed in a bid to have her sentence cut.
A FRAUDSTER who befriended a sufferer of senile dementia before fleecing her of up to £1,500 in life savings has failed in a bid to have her sentence cut.
Belinda MacInally, 47, of Glanville Place, Kesgrave, appeared before London's Appeal Court to try and get a reduction in the 18-month sentence she was given for fleecing 81-year-old Barbara Morrice, of Ipswich.
In one incident in June last year MacInally accompanied Mrs Morrice to her building society, where "£500 in cash was withdrawn and stolen".
The thefts came to light when Mrs Morrice's social worker visited her client and realised she very little food or money.
Mrs Morrice was suffering from senile dementia when MacInally befriended her. The court heard that MacInally was convicted of four counts of theft, receiving a total 18-month sentence at Ipswich Crown Court in February this year.
"She was sentenced on the basis that she took advantage of a vulnerable elderly lady suffering from senile dementia," said Mr Justice Astill.
He said that a substantial quantity of cash was taken and added that it was a "despicable and greedy series of thefts", with MacInally displaying no signs of remorse.
Despite her previous good character, the judge deemed the sentence to be entirely appropriate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here