A KNUTSFORD woman has been given a suspended sentence, after she harassed a vulnerable pensioner and assaulted his care worker.

Kelly Coad, 30, who lives on the Longridge estate, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment and one of battery at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 17.

She was handed a 24 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Coad was also given a 12 month supervision order, and ordered to pay the victims £180 in compensation.

The harassment charge relates to incidents earlier this year. On Monday, April 3, Coad visited the home of an 86-year-old pensioner – whom police have called ‘vulnerable’ and ‘frail’ – and befriended him.

Claiming that her car had broken down and that she was stranded, she asked the man to give her for £90 to get home and he obliged.

Less than 24 hours later, Coad returned to the address claiming she needed to use the man’s phone to call a taxi. Once inside, she again asked for money, this time taking £60.

Police say Coad then returned three times over the next three days, creating new and ‘elaborate reasons’ as to why she needed money. Across these visits, she took a further £120.

On Thursday, April 6, Coad was challenged at the victim’s address by his carer. At this point, Coad assaulted the carer – elbowing her in the chest – before fleeing.

After becoming aware of the deception, the care worker reported the incidents to Cheshire Police, leading to Coad’s arrest and charge.

Sgt Kelly Johnston from Knutsford said: “The actions taken by Coad were totally appalling and I hope that the sentence handed to her will act as a warning, both to her and other potential offenders.

“Coad purposefully targeted the victim due to his vulnerabilities and knowingly deceived him out of hundreds of pounds. She targeted the victim on multiple occasions, always with the intent of deceiving him out of even more money.

“I would like to take this as an opportunity to commend the actions of the care worker who challenged Coad and reported the incidents to us; I have no doubt that had the care not reported the incidents then Coad’s deception would have continued.

“I urge anyone who believes that they many have been a victim of any similar incidents to contact the team here at Knutsford on 101.”

An incident that took place in June is still being investigated, and is being treated in isolation.