A NIECE 'tactically bullied and blackmailed' her bedridden aunt so she could get her hands on her life savings.

Preston Crown Court heard Nina Connolly was meant to be caring for her vulnerable 73-year-old aunt Annie Normanton when she stole £31,940 as well as fraudulently applying for loans in her name.

Prosecutor Andrew Ford said Connelly, of Duke Street, Colne targeted her victim between November 2013 and November 2015 to feed her gambling addiction.

And after the theft, the victim was hounded with calls and visits from bailiffs demanding money.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson described the deception as 'horrific'.

The court heard the relatives had just reconciled after 20 years because the 45-year-old stole £2,000 from her aunt's bank account while they were on holiday in 1994.

After that theft was discovered, the prosecutor said Connolly was ostracised from the family until her uncle died in 2013 and she got back in contact with her aunt.

Mr Ford said following the death of her husband Mrs Normanton's own health began to decline and she became 'bedridden'.

In 2015, the court heard the victim was admitted to hospital and during that time Connolly was given the key to her aunt's house.

Mr Ford said Connolly 'pressured' her aunt to lend her £1,800 and convinced her to act as a guarantor for a £5,000 loan.

On several occasions Connolly would also make withdrawals from cash machines of the 'maximum amount possible', the court was told.

Mr Ford said a concerned bank manager spoke to the victim after her account was left 'effectively empty' because of the large withdrawals.

The court heard Connolly would often go to Santander with her aunt to transfer money from her savings account to her current account, which she would then remove for herself.

Mr Ford said the defendant 'tactically bullied and blackmailed her aunt' into giving her the money.

He said Mrs Normanton was 'made to feel helpless and vulnerable'.

Connolly's crimes were uncovered when Mrs Normanton's son came home and checked her account statements.

Sentencing her to three years and four months behind bars, Judge Beverley Lunt said Connolly 'prayed on her aunt's good nature and pity'.

Referring to a victim impact statement, Mr Ford told the court Mrs Normanton had been left feeling 'anxious and worried'.

He said: "She feels she cannot trust people.

"Her social life has suffered due to the shame.

"She has had issues with self confidence and has lost sleep.

"All she wanted was a quiet retirement."

Connolly pleaded guilty to theft and fraudulently using her aunt's name to obtain money.

Judge Lunt said: "The victim was particularly vulnerable.

"She has been hounded by financial companies.

"It is a betrayal of trust."

Connolly used the money to feed her gambling addiction, which included spending £1,030 in one week in 2015, the court heard.

There were also other occasions where she would spend 'three figure sums in a week' gambling.

Neil Fryman, defending said Connolly was 'a lady with many health problems'.

He said: "She said she is sorry and wants to profoundly apologise to her aunt."

Judge Lunt said Connolly will serve half of her sentence before being released on license unless she commits any further crimes.

Mr Stephenson said: “It’s very shocking and distressing to hear of cases of this horrific nature where a family member has taken advantage of a vulnerable person.

"I am pleased this deception was discovered and prosecuted and the culprit given a stiff sentence.”