Woman who stole from widow, 72, she befriended spared jail
husband’s death.
In a statement, she told the court she believed Kotas “tricked” her and planned the burglary.
Ms Smith said her client was left “terrified” of simple tasks such as pegging out her washing and described how miserable she felt without jewellery given to her by her daughter and late sister.
She said the OAP didn’t feel safe and was now speaking to her housing provider about getting a new home.
The woman said she didn’t believe Kotas was sorry and added: “She is aware of where I live. Knowing this causes me to feel upset and scared.”
Kotas denied entering the woman’s home in an interview, then when shown the CCTV accepted using her card, but didn’t explain why she had it.
The thief, now of Cherry Sutton, Widnes, admitted burglary and six counts of fraud.
She has three previous convictions for five offences, including common assault and two counts of theft from a person.
The court heard Kotas was last sentenced in 2013 for another offence involving violence.
Paul Wood, defending, said the pensioner’s loss was fortunately lessened by the fact the stolen items were recovered.
He said: “It’s clear this lady was vulnerable. It was a very mean act, against acts of previous kindness from her.”
Mr Wood added: “The defendant accepts clearly she was under the influence of drugs. If ever there needed to be an example of how negatively drugs can affect an individual, this is clearly a classic case.”
He conceded Kotas had been a “nuisance” to the woman, but had since tackled her addiction, had been “clean” for six weeks, and was working with the Change Grow Live charity.
Mr Wood said a report detailed issues in Kotas’ childhood, how she first started using drugs, which was “normal in the family environment she was in”, and that she made a complaint four years ago of being the victim of “a very serious offence”.
He said she had a history of anxiety and depression, was prescribed medication, and was “someone who is highly vulnerable”.
Mr Wood added: “She attends court today with one of her arms bandaged from self-harm.”
The lawyer suggested there were “two victims” - the OAP and Kotas and said his client, who would lose her own home, had since stayed out of trouble and was supported in court by her boyfriend.
He also urged Judge Gary Woodhall to bear in mind the impact prison would have on Kotas’ mental health.
Judge Woodhall said the victim described her “immeasurable upset” at losing the jewellery, being left scared and wanting to move out, which he said was a perfectly understandable response to having your home “violated”.
He said Kotas was clearly under the influence of cocaine and motivated by funding her drug habit.
The judge said: “You knew her age and her vulnerabilities and you targeted her.”
However, he accepted Kotas was genuinely remorseful, was in significant rent arrears and would likely lose her own flat.
He said Kotas could be “categorised properly as a vulnerable adult”, had not offended since and was trying to address her problems.
The judge said he bore in mind her personal circumstances and it was in the best interests of the public that she be rehabilitated.
Judge Woodhall handed Kotas 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a 25-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
He told her to complete a sixmonth Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a four-month home curfew, from 8pm to 6am daily.
A WIDNES man was taken to hospital after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning at home.
Firefighters were called to Batherton Close shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday, September 13, after being alerted to an alarm sounding.
The crew used a gas detector to confirm the presence of the potentially lethal substance inside the property.
Firefighters administered oxygen to the man and passed him to the care of paramedics before he was taken to hospital.
The crew also isolated the building’s gas supply.
A CFRS spokesperson said: “Firefighters also used the gas detector inside a neighbouring address. There were no carbon monoxide readings there.
“A gas company attended the address which did contain carbon monoxide to establish the source and make the property safe.
“Firefighters were in attendance for more than an hour-and-a-half.”
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of things containing carbon burning such as gas and coal and is commonly found in air in very low quantities, but can be deadly in higher amounts.
Dubbed the “silent killer” by campaigners, it is odourless and colourless, meaning CO alarms can save lives.
NHS guidance says the symptoms of CO poisoning are not always obvious but the most common sign that someone has suffered mild poisoning is a tension-type headache.
Other patients can experience dizziness, feeling of being sick, tiredness and confusion, stomach pain, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Loss of consciousness can happen within a couple of hours.
Long-term exposure to low levels can cause neurological symptoms such as difficulty thinking or concentrating, an emotional volatility.