Cashier jailed over £25k theft from Staffordshire pensioner

A crooked bank cashier who plundered the account of an elderly customer suffering dementia has been jailed for two years.

James Michie stole more than £25,000 from Staffordshire pensioner Michael Turnbull, who has since died.

The Barclays Bank employee targeted the account because he knew 87-year-old Mr Turnbull's mental health was failing and a power of attorney had been appointed for him.

Stafford Crown Court was told Michie marked the account "gone away" and began withdrawing from it.

Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said the theft was discovered at the branch in Market Square, Stafford, when the manager carried out an audit check on the account.

He had noticed there had been nine withdrawals at the counter totalling more than £16,000 – all supervised by Michie.

When tackled about it he resorted to "an elaborate lie," claiming that Mr Turnbull, from Stafford, was a regular customer who would attend and withdraw the money himself.

Michie later owned up and confessed he had made a further 14 illicit withdrawals – taking the total amount stolen to £25,475.

Michie, aged 25, of Oak Road, Brewood, admitted a charge of theft between May 2009 and April last year.

Judge Michael Cullum told him: "You targeted the account of an 87-year-old customer whom you personally knew. You knew he was struggling and had become confused."

Mr Sullivan said Michie had spent the money on restaurant meals, shopping in Birmingham, nights out in the city and takeaways.

The court heard that he began stealing after running up credit card debts. Since being sacked by the bank he had been working in a pub.