Grandson’s suspended sentence following theft from disabled Nelson grandmother

Michael Wilson (31), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to theft at Burnley Magistrates’ Court on October 23rd, and has spent the past month in custody.

Today, the court heard how the defendant took £9,537 from the Halifax bank account of Maureen Wilson (75) in 43 transactions over the course of six weeks. He was living with her at the time, and was using the money to fund his £150-a-day cocaine addiction.

The theft first came to light when the victim, who is in a wheelchair, had her card declined while out shopping.

The Burnley-born defendant, who has previously worked in Toulouse as a contract worker for an aircraft manufacturer, was said to have begun living a “Walter Mitty existence” when he was unable to accept he had no job.

He has been handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. A six-month drug rehabilitation requirement was also imposed and the defendant is subject to a curfew, between 8pm and 7am, at a Kendal address. He must pay a victim surcharge of £100.

For the full story see next week’s Burnley Express and Leader Times Newspapers.