AN 84-year-old woman dementia sufferer had around £26,000 taken from her bank account as she lay in hospital, a court heard.

And today a Burnley recycling firm boss was starting a prison sentence for his part in decimating her life savings.

The cash disappeared from Connie Pemberley's savings account after cheques were stolen from her home in Quarry Street, Padiham.

And while mystery still surrounds who burgled the pensioner’s property, and stole the cheques, three men have been convicted for their involvement.

Father-of-three Frank Owen, who runs his own self-titled recycling business in Burnley, cashed a stolen cheque for £9,700.

Another man, Matthew Quigley, withdrew £9,900 from Mrs Pemberley's account with a stolen cheque.

And father-of-two Frank Rinaldi was found to have pocketed £6,400 the following January, Lancashire Police discovered.

Owen, 41, of Lower House Green, Lumb, Rossendale, denied converting criminal property but was convicted after a trial. He was jailed for 18 weeks.

Quigley, 36, of Laithe Street, Burnley, admitted the same charge and was given a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He must also carry out 200 hours’ community service, attend a thinking skills programme run by the probation service and pay £400 court costs.

Rinaldi, 47, of Selkirk Street, Burnley, also pleaded guilty to the same charge. He was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with £400 costs.

Passing sentence, Judge Ian Leeming QC said: "If people like you are not available to take these cheques, that have been stolen, then there would be less point in them being stolen in the first place."

Peter Horgan, prosecuting, said Mrs Pemberley went into hospital on November 22, 2009, and she only remained on a ward for a few days.

But when her family checked her bank account, in early 2010, they found that three large withdrawals had been made.

Further investigations showed that Owen, Quigley and Rinaldi were the beneficaries of the cheques.

In a trial earlier this year, Owen claimed he had received the money as payment for two Saluki dogs he had sold. But the jury found him guilty of cashing the stolen cheque.

In mitigation, Quigley and Owen both said they were 'ashamed' of their actions and expressed 'genuine remorse' for what they had done.

The court heard Rinaldi was one of the main carers for his wife, who had suffered a major stroke several years ago and was now blind and partially paralysed.

Outside court members of the family of Mrs Pemberley, who is now living at a care home, said the case had placed considerable strain on the family.

Her grand-daughter Andrea Routh said: "We've got really mixed emotions now it's all over."

Her daughter Pauline Pemberley added: "It's been very hard. This has been going on since 2009 and we've been going to and from court for ages."