A mum-of-three cruelly betrayed an elderly neighbour who had treated her like "family".
Clair Woodward "borrowed" thousands of pounds from the vulnerable pensioner, who had memory problems.
The single mum even sent her children round to ask for money, before she then started stealing from the victim.
READ MORE: Carer sobs as pensioner, 78, says she's as 'low as it gets'
But the 35-year-old walked free from Liverpool Crown Court after she was spared jail because of her children.
Trevor Parry-Jones, prosecuting, said the case was "troubling" as the victim, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, was a retired teacher, who had suffered two bleeds on the brain.
She lived on her own in Cairn Court in Thatto Heath, Saint Helens, where Woodward moved in 2019 with her two children, including a boy with ADHD, who the victim began helping with his learning.
Mr Parry Jones said: "A bond as such developed... she would almost treat them as part of the family."
Woodward started helping with daily chores and the victim began paying her for cleaning.
The prosecutor said Woodward also started "borrowing" money, which she said she would pay back.
He said there were no charges in relation to this amount - more than £5,000 but less than £10,000 in total - but it was investigated by the police.
Mr Parry-Jones said it was "clear" the victim was being "used and pressured".
He said: "Miss Woodward would use her own children to try and get money as well."
The victim sometimes drove the mum and her children around, but in March 2020, Woodward's boyfriend was stopped by police driving the OAP's car, when the victim didn't know he had it.
Mr Parry-Jones said the woman had a long term carer, Louise Molyneux, who raised concerns with police, but the victim was told "it was one word against another".
However, bank cards had also been ordered in the victim's name - not by her - with her post seemingly opened to obtain the details and a PIN.
Between December 4 and 10, 2020, CCTV from cash points showed Woodward making 16 unauthorised withdrawals - often late at night - using a Barclays Bank card.
She also made three phone banking transactions, asking for money to be transferred to a friend of the victim, but in fact to her own account.
In total Woodward stole £876.98, but when interviewed by police she denied any knowledge, until confronted with CCTV and phone evidence.
Mr Parry-Jones said it was not known whether Barclays Bank had reimbursed the victim.
Woodward, who had no previous convictions, admitted theft and fraud.
She cried in the dock as the court heard a statement from the victim, who now feels vulnerable, "used" and scared, because she still lives near Woodward.
The woman said: "Clair was sending her children round on her behalf to borrow goods and money, taking advantage of me."
The victim added: "I even emptied my two freezers for her as she said she had no food for the children."
Kate Morley, defending, said: "Ms Woodward stands before the court with her reputation in tatters.
"She is thoroughly and rightly embarrassed and ashamed. In hindsight she appreciates how despicable her behaviour has been."
Ms Morley added: "She is extremely remorseful. It is not crocodile tears, it is genuine remorse."
She said the judge might want to know "why on earth Ms Woodward has stooped so low".
The lawyer said: "Ms Woodward has repeatedly been the victim of domestic abuse and cruel behaviour at the hands of numerous previous partners.
"The impact on her mental health has been great. She suffers with depression and anxiety, which she is medicated for.
"In September 2020, Ms Woodward became pregnant with her third child. Her then partner was unsympathetic to say the least.
"Alone and with a baby on the way, she embarked on this spate of dishonest and despicable transactions."
Ms Morley said Woodward knew she had taken advantage of her kind neighbour and lost a "good friend".
She said: "Ms Woodward was struggling financially and was worrying about how she would afford a baby on her own.
"This was to buy groceries and to feed her family."
Ms Morley said Woodward had three children, aged 12, nine and 10-months-old.
She said her nine-year-old son had behavioural problems, with issues including arson, and was "extremely emotionally dependent" on his mum.
As a result of these crimes, her children were placed on a Child Protection Plan, but because of her "good progress", social services downgraded this to a Children in Need Plan.
Ms Morley said: "The impact of custody on Ms Woodward would be severe, but the impact on her children would be life changing and catastrophic.
"The children would have to be separated from each other and ultimately go into the care system for the short term."
Ms Morley said her client wanted to pay the victim back at a rate of £50 a month from her Universal Credit.
The barrister said Woodward didn't want to prolong the victim's distress and was looking to move home.
Ms Morley said: "I urge the court to give her a chance, if only for the sake of the absolutely devastating impact it would have upon her children."
Recorder Michael Blakey told Woodward: "You decided you would take advantage of that lady."
He said: "She out of the goodness of her heart lent you lots of money, in the thousands, which you agreed to pay back, which you had no intention of doing so.
"You're not to be sentenced for that at all, but it's part and parcel of the background."
Recorder Blakey said Woodward had a "very difficult background" but "that clearly cannot be any excuse whatsoever for what you did".
He said: "It was cruel, it was deceitful by you, and it was a significant breach of the trust that she had in you.
"I expect, I hope that you are ashamed of what you did."
He said the crimes crossed the custody threshold "by a country mile".
But he said Woodward pleaded guilty, was of good character, there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and jailing her would have a "significant harmful impact" on her children.
He handed her four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and an eight-week home curfew, from 9pm to 6am daily.
Recorder Blakey said he would not make a compensation order because of Woodward's financial position.
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