Niece who stole £50,000 from uncle, 88, must pay back just £800
A NIECE who stole nearly £50,000 from an 88-year-old uncle has to pay back just £800.
A judge made the ruling after hearing that is all Lillian Handysides has available to pay.
If she comes into more money she must surrender it until the stolen cash is fully repaid.
Last year Handysides, 56, of Sunderland, got a suspended two-year jail term for theft.
She was trusted with the uncle’s finances as he had “difficulty getting about”, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
But instead of paying bills and buying things he needed, Handysides “used it as her own” and led a “nice lifestyle on the proceeds of the thefts”.
During the trial the victim gave evidence, via television link, from his armchair at his home in South Shields.
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He told jurors: “She was taking money off me, not helping me out.
“It was supposed to be saved up in the bank for such time I passed away.”
The pensioner, who said Handysides had “quite a few” holidays abroad, told the court he has since changed his will and added: “I’ve got no trust in her now for what she’s done.”
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