A KNUTSFORD woman has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of stealing money from two elderly women.

Tracy Owen-Barlow, 53, from Springfields, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced after being found guilty of two counts of theft from a person at an earlier hearing.

Owen-Barlow befriended the two women, who were in their 90s, and stole money from their bank accounts between March 9, 2017 and February 8, 2018.

She took a combined total of £13,530 from the women without their knowledge. One of her victims has since died.

Det Con Andrew Roberts said: “Owen-Barlow callously took advantage of two vulnerable women.

“She betrayed their trust by stealing thousands from them for her own needs. I hope she reflects on the harm and upset this has caused her victims and their families.

“Sadly one of her victims will not get to see justice done, but I hope this latest conviction acts as a deterrent for others who are cruel enough to consider taking advantage of those who need our help and support.”

Her crime only came to a stop when a neighbour of one of the women reported that she thought someone was taking money from the victim’s account, while in the other case the bank became suspicious and reported its concerns to police.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “This sentencing sends a message to criminals that police in Cheshire will not tolerate the abuse of vulnerable victims.

“This was a cruel crime in which the perpetrator gained the trust of these two women before taking advantage of that relationship for her own gains.

“We need to protect and support elderly people in our communities, not take advantage of them.”