Neighbour who stole £14k from frail widower told to pay back just £10
A woman who stole thousands of pounds from her frail widower neighbour has been ordered to pay back just £10.
Helen Smith, 50, of Bishop's Castle offered to support 77-year-old Alistair Fowlie after the death of his wife three years ago.
But she betrayed the pensioner's trust by using his bank card and pin number to help herself to his savings.
Along with other transactions she stole a total of £14,481.48 over a 13 month period.
Smith was sentenced to six months in prison in August after pleading guilty to theft.
She served half and before being released on licence and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday under the proceeds of crime act.
The prosecution wanted Smith, of Church Street, to pay back the money she stole from Mr Fowlie.
But the court heard she had no assets and Judge Robin Onions said he was "forced" to make an order for the payment of just £10.
"You have not paid a penny back to this man," Judge Onions told Smith who sat in the dock.
"I don't know how you can look at yourself in the mirror in the morning," he added.
Judge Onions said: "I am forced into this position because there are no assets. She has no money but that doesn't help the claimant who has lost £14,000 and it looks like he will never get it back.
"In this case the defendant was charged with theft. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced at this court by Judge Barrie on August 27 to six months imprisonment.
"It's clear this was a serious breach of trust involving a theft of money from a gentleman who trusted this defendant.
"A proceeds of crime timetable was set up with the aim to determine what figure the defendant had benefited from and that is £14,481.48.
"The financial investigators employed by the police were asked to look for assets but it is a regrettable fact that despite their best efforts no assets were found.
"However strongly I feel that this defendant has not shown any remorse I am required to fix a nominal amount of £10 and four days imprisonment as default."
He told Smith: "If you come into any money I hope the prosecution try to deprive you of it."
