Carer in court over £1.7k theft from friend

Judith Jones used Linda Hickman's card and PIN number to withdraw money from cash machines in Bilston without the permission of the victim, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease and Muscular Dystrophy, the jury was told.

Prosecutor Scott Coughtrie explained: "This was a fraud by a close family friend upon a vulnerable individual who relied upon her to assist with her banking arrangements.

"She took the bank card, knew the PIN number and, without authority, withdrew cash six times and attempted to do so on another occasion. She kept the proceeds despite being part of the family unit who cared for the lady by rota."

Jones, aged 63, of Grange Road, Coseley, had been in a relationship with the victim's brother Terry for 39 years, during which she had been asked to withdraw money from the account.

But the arrangement was stopped after concern about unexplained withdrawals from the account last year. She broke up with Terry after a row about them.

Concern started after a statement revealed three cash withdrawals within three minutes using the same bank card on January 25 last year, disclosed Mr Coughtrie.

Jones is alleged to have used the bank card six times to withdraw a total of £1700 and a seventh occasion when a bid to withdraw a further £100 failed.

She was photographed by CCTV cameras close to the relevant cash machines within four minutes of three of these withdrawals, said Mr Coughtrie.

Jones denies seven charges of fraud in that she falsely claimed to be entitled to use the bank card of Linda Hickman at various cash points in Bilston between March 16 and April 15 last year.

The trial continues today.