A 92-YEAR-old woman was caused an 'insurmountable of stress' after her niece fleeced her for more than £6,000.

Susan Marsden was warned by a judge she would face a 'lengthy prison sentence' after she admitted using her aunt's bank card to withdraw £6,740 from cash points.

Sharyn Farrar, the daughter-in-law of victim Joan Edmonds, said the pensioner had trusted her niece.

“She is just so relieved to hear the news, but will feel happier after sentencing," said Mrs Farrar. “She has cost Joan an insurmountable amount of stress. Susan used to go see her regularly and they even had a friendly relationship, but this was an absolute betrayal of trust. Joan said if she wanted the money so badly she would have even considered giving it to her."

She added: "Joan and I have become close since my partner, her son, passed away in December and I know the effects it has had on her."

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard yesterday (Wednesday) how Marsden, 61, of Fell Drive, Grange, began using the card after someone handed it to her knowing she was related to the victim.

She used it to withdraw money from Grange’s Spar and Co-op on nine occasions between January 4 and June 30 last year. Marsden pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and theft of the card. Prosecutor Peter Kelly described the victim as 'lonely but very independent', saying she was a 'vulnerable lady' with limited movement.

The court heard Ms Edmonds kept her card securely and rang her friend Mary Pearson “in a panic” when she discovered it was missing.

After police obtained banking documents, officers looked at CCTV from cash points and spotted Marsden, the court was told. Marsden, who represented herself, said she was struggling financially.

“It was a really stupid thing to do,” she said. “I don’t why I did it.”

District Judge Gerald Chalk told Marsden: “She trusted you and you abused that trust.

“You should receive a lengthy prison sentence.”

She will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on November 23.