Hairdresser befriended 71-year-old customer before stealing money from her bank account
A Co Antrim hairdresser befriended a ‘vulnerable’ 71-year-old customer before stealing money from her bank account in a ‘despicable’ crime.
‘Mark Purdy (44), of Kilmakevit Road in Cullybackey, committed the theft, according to the charge sheet, between January 1 and September 12 last year.
He was at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday which heard the agreed amount on the charge was £2,900. The court was told the defendant pleaded guilty to theft.
The court was told Purdy had befriended the woman after he had done her hair in recent years.
The woman had provided him with her pin code and bank card for him to collect groceries for her and bring them to her home, the prosecutor added.
The defendant had stolen amounts ranging from £150 to £500 from the account.
The prosecutor said it was initially indicated around £4,000 had been taken but the agreed figure before the court on the charge sheet is £2,900. A defence solicitor said the defendant is a hairdresser but is now unemployed.
He said Purdy had brought £500 compensation to court and could pay another £500 in three weeks time.
The prosecutor said when interviewed by the police the defendant said he knew the woman and that he had helped her. The defendant told officers the woman had "lent the card to him to get groceries and electric and he knew the pin number". Purdy now accepts his guilt but the prosecutor said that during the police interview he had denied any withdrawals for his own personal use and indicated that the victim had a gambling issue and an alcohol problem. District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "So he blamed it on her then. He said she was drinking and gambling, a 71-year-old lady who was vulnerable, on her own".
He added: "He does her hair, he gets her trust, he takes her card and then over a significant period of time he goes round to the ATM and takes money out of her account and the total value you can prove is £2,900".
The judge continued: "This is a despicable crime. A 71-year-old vulnerable lady, you befriend her, you get her trust and she is at your mercy. You abuse that trust".
The judge adjourned the case to July for the defendant to bring further cash to court. He warned Purdy: "I am giving very active consideration to sending you to prison".