Warrenpoint couple admit Alzheimer's widow £100K con

The couple pleaded guilty at Armagh Crown Court

A Warrenpoint couple have admitted trying to steal almost £100,000 from an 84-year-old widow with Alzheimer's.

James McPolin, 46, and his wife Colleen, 41, of Dallan View, admitted two counts of theft in 2009 and 2010.

The court heard that Mr McPolin took his victim, Beatrice Irvine, to a building society in Newry where she had a cheque made out to him for £46,000.

Eight months later, Mrs McPolin took her to the same building society where she handed over a cheque for £50,000.

Armagh Crown Court was told the cheque was not cashed as staff became suspicious and called the police.

The prosecution told the court that at first, Mr McPolin claimed the cheque for £46,000 was a gift and that the cheque for £50,000 was for work on Mrs Irvine's house.

The police said this work was never carried out.

The court was told that to repay the stolen money, the couple had remortgaged their home and lodged cheques to the value of £46,000.

Judge Kevin Finnegan said he would pass sentence at a later date.