I’ve lost faith in justice says DJ Liz as ‘carer’ who stole mum’s £20,000 is let off jail
‘Ruthless’ Claire Davis. Inset, Andy Kershaw and his mother Eileen Pickup FORMER Radio One disc jockey Liz Kershaw told the Daily Express last night she has “lost faith” in the criminal justice system after her mother’s thieving carer avoided jail.
Retired headmistress Eileen Pickup, 83, is the mum of former BBC radio stars Liz, 60, and Andy Kershaw, 59, from her first marriage.
Burnley Crown Court heard how frail Mrs Pickup was secretly being drained of £20,000 of her life savings by carer Claire Davis, 45.
Yesterday Liz and Andy sat in the public gallery to hear how their betrayed mum treated Davis as “a daughter”. But the pair were furious when, instead of being jailed, Davis landed an 18-month suspended jail sentence.
Outside court Liz shook with anger as she told how that left the family losing all “faith in the police and the justice system”.
She said: “There is no punishment here at all. The message to so-called carers who rob elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes is ‘help yourself’.
“My mother has deteriorated beyond all recognition, even for a woman of her age.
“It has taken years off her life. She has been left without funds.
“She should have been able to have a comfortable existence in her own home with the best quality care money can buy.
“This has been a betrayal of her kindness, generosity and trust.
“It was planned, systematic, ruthless and cruel. This criminal campaign has left my mother broke and broken.”
Mother-of-one Davis, of Rochto dale, admitted stealing from the former mayor. The money was taken in cash machine withdrawals when Mrs Pickup lived in Whitworth, near Rochdale.
After Liz was contacted by social services over later unpaid bills she reported her suspicions police. Judge Tom Gilbert told Davis she was “mean spirited, selfish and cruel” and had “come perilously close” to jail.
In a statement Mrs Pickup said: “This has floored me. It is not just the money but the fact I treated her like a daughter and she has done this to me.
“I do not trust people now.”