Magherafelt woman stole money from bank account of 'extremely vulnerable' relative to 'feed drug habit'
A woman took money from the bank account of an "extremely vulnerable" relative to "feed a drug habit", a court was told.
The 37-year-old admitted a charge of fraud by false representation that between October 2022 and December 2025 she accessed a bank account without permission.
The victim and members of his family watched on from the public gallery of Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Tuesday.
A prosecutor said a report was made to police that the defendant had accessed her relative's "online banking and taken money from his account without his knowledge or permission".
When interviewed, Cara Ann Donnelly, with an address listed as Sperrin View, Magherafelt, admitted to police to accessing the account whilst "relapsing on drugs".
The court was told the prosecution believed the amount taken was £2,370 but the defendant said it was £750.
A defence barrister said £750 restitution was handed in to court. He said Donnelly apologises to the victim and his family and is "extremely remorseful".
He said the offending had been to "feed a very serious drug habit" but the defendant has "turned her life around". District Judge Nigel Broderick said Donnelly had "abused" a "position of trust".
He told the defendant: "This is a very serous case. The victim is present and he is extremely vulnerable. I read his very moving victim personal statement. Not only was this theft but it was aggravated because you abused a position of trust.
"He trusted you and you abused that position by taking his bank card and stealing his money. It was committed at a time when you were addicted to drugs. To your credit you appear to have addressed that addiction."
The court was told the defendant now works in a cafe.
Not without hesitation, said Judge Broderick, as a direct alternative to imprisonment, he was putting her on an Enhanced Combination Order (ECO) for 18 months and she also has to do 100 hours of Community Service.
The judge said an ECO "is not an easy option" but is "intensive" with a "zero tolerance" and if it is not complied with it will come back to court and she will be "sent straight to prison".