Woman took cash from OAP with dementia
A serial criminal conned cash from a “very frightened” pensioner with dementia by claiming she needed money to help her own gran.
Kayla Banton, who has been jailed for stealing from an elderly victim in the past, walked into her victim’s home and told the vulnerable 78-year-old, whose husband was bed bound after a stroke, that she needed “money for her nana”.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the the pensioner handed over about £80 and was left “very distressed” by the confrontation with a stranger at her home.
Banton, of North View, Sunderland, who admitted fraud, has now been given a suspended sentence after spending six months behind bars on remand.
The court heard the 30-year-old conwoman had been knocking on doors in Grangetown, Sunderland, and asking for cash on the early morning of April 4. She was spotted by a neighbour going into her victim’s home and then “run off ”.
A short time later, the victim spoke to her daughter over the phone, in an “extremely-distressed state”.
Prosecutor Paul Currer told the court: “She explained she had gone into the bedroom and found a woman in the house she didn’t know.
“The woman was in her husband’s room. She spoke to the defendant, who had asked her for money. The defendant claimed she needed money for her nana.
“The complainant had been very frightened and gave her money from her purse. The defendant asked for more. She gave her more. She estimated, in total, about £80.”
Banton was arrested, with £55 in cash in her bra, but claimed the victim had given her just £11.
The court heard Banton has convictions for 28 previous offences, including violence and drugs, and was jailed for 40 months in 2014 for stealing from a 66-yearold man with Parkinson’s disease.
Judge Robert Adams sentenced Banton to 21 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and a restraining order to keep her away from the victim’s house.
The judge told her: “Had you not served so long in custody, it would be an immediate custodial sentence.
“I make it clear that this is suspended purely because you have already served a custodial term.”
Penny Hall, defending, said Banton has a long history of mental health problems and is keen to accept professional assistance.
Miss Hall said Banton has “struggled enormously” in custody and that drugs are at the heart of her offending.
“The complainant had been very frightened and gave her money” PAUL CURRER