Anger in court as woman jailed for stealing from elderly man

File photo / NZ Herald

"Rot in hell. She deserves more", were the words resonating in court today, as a woman was locked up for stealing nearly $22,000 from an 84-year-old man.

A small group of people bickered in the public gallery at the New Plymouth District Court, as they watched Teresa Bowles be sentenced to six months in prison.

Bowles' victim gave her access to his bank account, so she could help him manage his finances.

However the judge said she abused his trust, draining the pool of money he'd saved from selling his house and car.

The woman in her early 50s took nearly $25,000 between April last year, and January this year.

While Bowles paid back around $3000, the judge recognised she wasn't in a position to pay the rest, as she'd lost her job.

Bowles stood with her head bowed and eyes shut for a large part of her appearance, while her counsel argued she was mentally vulnerable and took the money due to financial stress.

In a written statement, her victim said he'd cared for her like a daughter for most his life.

Now he never wanted to see her again.