Woman stole from neighbour, 87, who treated her ‘like daughter’ for years

A CALLOUS thief spent years stealing almost £28,000 from an elderly neighbour who had treated her “like a daughter”, a court heard.

MEN
Amara Ahmed spent years stealing from an elderly neighbour

Amara Ahmed, 24, lived next door to the 87-year-old woman in Fallowfield, Manchester, who had known her since she was born.

Manchester magistrates heard that the elderly woman had even taken Ahmed to school regularly as a child.

Despite this, in November 2012, when Ahmed was given access to the vulnerable pensioner’s bank account as “a trusted neighbour”, she quickly started stealing her money.

MEN
The elderly neighbour had known Ahmed since she was a baby

In all, she swindled £27,880 over almost four years, spending the money on clothes, flowers and other items, most of which she bought online.

Some of the goods were even delivered to Ahmed’s victim next door, who helpfully signed for them, unaware it was her money which had paid for the items.

Ahmed could now face prison, after admitting theft between November 2012 and August 2016.

The thefts occurred in hundreds of separate transactions and continued until last August, almost four years later, when she was caught.

Ahmed pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

The court was told she has since repaid the money in full.

She will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court next month after reports have been drawn up.