'You should be ashamed for the rest of your life' - judge blasts Shropshire couple who stole £9,000 from grandmother
A husband and wife who stole £9,000 from his elderly grandmother have been told they should be ashamed for the rest of their lives.
Richard Griffiths, 35, and his wife Lorraine, 33, both of Cordwell Park, Wem, were found guilty of stealing up to £9,000 from his 86 year old grandmother, Moira Griffiths, of Monkmoor, Shrewsbury.
The couple escaped an immediate prison sentence for their actions, and were instead both given 18 month jail sentences, suspended for two years.
The court was told that the pair had used Mrs Griffiths' bank card, and a M&S card to withdraw thousands of pounds without her knowledge.
Sentencing, Recorder Nicholas Syfret, said the pair had failed to accept they were responsible for the crimes, something he said was a result of the shame they felt about their actions.
He said: "In her statements Mrs Griffiths acknowledged that she had helped you with your rent on a few occasions and it was a sad aspect of this case that Mr Griffiths had received a great deal of love and support from his grandmother when you fell out with your own family.
"That you by your actions have jeopardised her financial security is something that should shame you and your wife, and I am sure it does shame you and it should shame you for the rest of your lives.
He added: "I cannot sentence you on the basis that you have shown remorse because in your pre sentence report you continue to advance the explanation that was advanced at trial, which was disbelieved by the jury.
"I think what lies behind this is you find it difficult to come to terms with your behaviour."
The pair had been found guilty of two counts of theft each following a trial.
The offences took place between August 18 and November 16, 2013, and December 11, 2013, and January 1, 2014.
They were found to have used Mrs Griffiths' cards on up to 100 occasions during the period covering the charges.
Both were given suspended sentence orders, with a requirement to complete 180 hours of work in the community over the next 12 months.
They were told to take the opportunity given to them.
Recorder Syfret said: "You have been given a chance that not many courts would have given you. You have got to bear that in mind and you need to set out now and try to make positive use of the rest of your lives."
