A COUPLE have been jailed for stealing £30,000 from a dementia sufferer and his sick father.

Danielle Lees-Wolfenden, 38, and her partner Neil Barraclough, 42, showed no emotion as Judge Peter Benson branded their crimes as “mean, wicked and cruel” after hearing how they breached the trust placed in them.

It was accepted the pair had initially provided legitimate care to David Roberts and his now deceased father, also called David, but prosecutor Angus McDonald told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that over time they got greedy and began to take money for themselves.

Judge Benson, jailing the pair for 30 months each, said: “These were mean, wicked and cruel offences when you were in a substantial position of trust which you breached by exploiting the vulnerability of David Roberts jnr, in particular, simply for your own selfish financial gain.”

Barraclough would accompany Mr Roberts junior to bank ATMs when he withdrew cash. A bank manager became suspicious about frequent transactions and alerted police.

Lees-Wolfenden and Barraclough, both of Broomfield Street, Queensbury, admitted theft in breach of trust at a pre-trial hearing last month.

Mr McDonald said Lees-Wolfenden had ten previous convictions for 30 offences including theft by employee, handling stolen goods and theft from the person.

Barraclough had a suspended prison sentence in 2008 for a cheque scam.

Lees-Wolfenden’s barrister Giles Bridge said she got to know the complainants through living in Queensbury and “general friendliness”.

Ashok Khullar, for Barraclough, said he was tempted after a relapse into heroin misuse and felt regret and shame.