‘Lowest of the low’ thief is locked up
BY ANDREW BARGH reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk A CALLOUS Post Office worker has been jailed for stealing £25,000 from her 96-year-old neighbour.
Linda Beresford has been branded “the lowest of the low” after leaving frail Helen Love with just 96p in her account.
Beresford robbed the OAP of her savings over a four-year period.
The 48-year-old lived across the road from Helen and befriended her after she fell and damaged her hip. She offered to carry out domestic duties for the widow and to withdraw £600 from Helen’s Post Office account every four months for her.
However, scheming Beresford took an extra £180 from the account every week, TipExing receipts and writing false balances which the victim failed to notice.
The shameless thief, from Calderbank, Lanarkshire, even accepted a Christmas gift of £250 from grateful Helen.
At Airdrie Sheriff Court this week, Beresford was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to the theft. Helen’s niece Marilyn Smith and her husband Alan slammed the thief.
Marilyn said: “Doing this to a vulnerable old woman really is the lowest of the low. She’s not taken money from a millionaire employer or some criminal organisation – my aunt is a defenceless old woman.
“We were in disbelief when we heard and we’re just relieved she’s been put away. If it were up to us she’d be behind bars for another few years.”
Alan added: “It’s an awful crime. Beresford was crying in the dock but I don’t believe it’s real remorse.
“She left Helen angry, confused and shocked. She doesn’t deserve to feel like that, especially at her age.”