Shame as carers who 'stole £8,000 from disabled pensioner' walk free
A DISABLED pensioner blasted “soft justice” yesterday after his thieving carers walked free from court – with beaming victory smirks.
Carer Terri Cowley smirked as she left the court
Terri Cowley, 57, and daughter Hollie Dixon, 30, were liked and trusted by pub owner Norman Halsall to clean his home and help with his mobility.
But when up to £8,000 in cash went missing from a safe, Mr Halsall’s son installed cameras – and caught the pair stealing from his wallet.
Mr Halsall, 75, of Rochdale, said they should have been jailed.
CCTV footage caught Cowley stashing cash in her bra
Mr Halsall lost £8,000 from his safe
“It’s justice at its worst,” he said. “People with a carer look forward to seeing them. It can be their only personal contact.”
It’s justice at its worst
They were charged with two counts of theft of £80 and £90. Both pleaded guilty at Bury magistrates court.
Cowley, of Rochdale, who tested positive for opiates when she was arrested, was given a six-month suspended sentence.
Dixon, of nearby Heywood, was given a 20-week suspended sentence.
Cowley appeared in court with her daughter Hollie Dixon
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Both were also given 200 hours of unpaid work and made to pay £170 in compensation and £165 in costs.
Bill Rawstron, defending, described as “the elephant in the room” the suggestion they were responsible for thousands of pounds going missing.
“That’s not the case,” he said. “The police and the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] decided there was insufficient evidence to charge them.”