A MAN tried to steal more than £10,000 from an elderly relative who was in a nursing home and travel to New Zealand with the cash, a court heard.

Andrew James Stewart, 28, of Wordsworth Drive, Great Harwood, managed to take more than £1,737 from his relative's building society account and converted some of the money into New Zealand dollars so he could visit his parents.

The deception only came to light because Stewart's girlfriend told his family, who called the police, Hyndburn magistrates were told.

Stewart admitted two charges of obtaining property by deception and one charge of attempted deception. Magistrates placed him on probation for 12 months and ordered him to do 100 hours community service. He was ordered to pay £1,400 compensation to his relative and told to pay £40 costs.

After the hearing, welfare groups said the case showed how older people were seen as a "soft touch" by criminals. Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, said the victim was Arnold Pemberton, a relative of Stewart's who was living in a nursing home. Stewart had been living in the same house as Mr Pemberton's sister, who died in February. She had been looking after Mr Pemberton's affairs and Stewart found the building society books in the house.

Stewart went into a branch of the Cheshire Building Society and withdrew £1,700 from Mr Pemberton's account, said Miss Dacre.

She said that on March 13 Stewart again went to the branch where he forged Mr Pemberton's signature and closed an account containing £37. That day he also tried to close another account of Mr Pemberton's which contained £8,751, but building society staff refused to authorise the closure.

Miss Dacre said: "The offence only came to light because Stewart's girlfriend had seen the building society books and reported it to members of his family, who confronted him."

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Stewart had handed back £300 worth of New Zealand dollars and an unclaimed cheque for £37. He accepted he had to repay the outstanding £1,400.

After the case, a spokeswoman for Help The Aged said: "This case highlights just how vulnerable older people can be. They are seen as a soft touch. Even members of their own family can take advantage of them."

A spokesman for Age Concern in Hyndburn said: "If we are placed in a position of trust by an older relative we should treat them honestly and repay their trust by giving them the support and the assistance they need."

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