Fraudster who swindled £30k from her own grandparents spared jail after judge rules it a 'stupid immature mistake'

The Cheshire court heard she had used a bank card belonging to Robert and Christine Booth to fund shopping sprees, rental payments and various direct debits between October 2022 and November 2024.

Booth, from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, must repay the full amount taken, which totalled £30,255.19.

The young mother, who has a two-year-old child, is currently receiving Universal Credit benefits.

Her grandparents remain unaware of the betrayal due to their condition.

The fraud came to light after Booth's mother Natalie, who held power of attorney over the elderly couple, spotted irregularities in their bank statements.

She raised her concerns with her step-sister Andrea Mason, who shared responsibility for managing the couple's financial affairs.

During the initial investigation, Natalie herself fell under suspicion before authorities determined that her daughter was responsible for the withdrawals.

It emerged that Natalie had given the bank card to Charlotte on the understanding she would carry out shopping errands for her grandparents.

No criminal charges were brought against Natalie, though she has since been removed from her power of attorney role to prevent any future incidents.

Prosecutor Lisa McGuire told the court that Booth had "clearly breached the trust of all parties concerned."

Mrs Mason, who runs a management consultancy in Congleton, provided a victim impact statement describing the devastating consequences for her family.

She told the court: "I am not someone who typically suffers from anxiety and stress but this has weighed heavily on me.

"I have endured countless sleepless nights with my mind racing with worry about my parents' future security and wellbeing."

She explained that family bonds had been irreparably damaged by the theft.

She continued: "The sense of trust has been shattered in the family - something that will never be repaired."

Mrs Mason now bears sole responsibility for her parents' finances alongside running two businesses, describing her daily existence as "a constant battle between safeguarding my parents' future and maintaining my own livelihood."

One particularly painful outcome is that Natalie no longer visits her own parents.

Mrs Mason expressed hope that the prosecution would deliver "some measure of accountability and reassurance that the exploitation of vulnerable individuals will not go unpunished."

While the elderly couple suffered no physical harm and remained oblivious to events, she emphasised that their savings had been intended to provide comfort during their final years.

"This did not just represent their security but their dignity and peace of mind. That has been stolen from them," she said.

Defence solicitor Laura Young argued that Booth had acted under financial strain rather than from greed, and had shown willingness to make amends by visiting her grandparents.

Presiding magistrate JP Andrew Pope acknowledged the seriousness of the breach of trust but noted Booth's prompt guilty plea and clean record.

"It is evident that you have made a stupid immature mistake," he said, adding there was "a realistic chance you won't commit further offences".