Sheffield fraudster spared jail to care for sick mum during pandemic

A fraudster caught with stolen bank and credit cards has been spared from jail so he can care for his sick mother during the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sheffield Crown Court heard today, Friday, April 17, how Darrell Tomlinson, 32, of Weakland Crescent, Frecheville, Sheffield, used one card at Birley Moor News and attempted to use a card during an attempted purchase at a Co-op petrol station after a bank card and a credit card had been stolen during a burglary.

Judge Sarah Wright told Tomlinson: “You have been looking after your mother during this difficult period and she has substantial underlying health issues affecting her immune system and she has been extremely dependent upon you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“While these offences richly deserve immediate custody I have come to the conclusion that immediate custody would result in significant harm upon another that being your mother and it is for that reason alone I am able to suspend the inevitable prison sentence.”

A judge at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has given a fraudster a suspended prison sentence so he can continue to care for his sick mother during the coronavirus pandemic.A judge at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has given a fraudster a suspended prison sentence so he can continue to care for his sick mother during the coronavirus pandemic.
A judge at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has given a fraudster a suspended prison sentence so he can continue to care for his sick mother during the coronavirus pandemic.

Vanessa Saxton, defending, said Tomlison has been caring and living with his bed-ridden mother who has suffered two bouts of cancer.

She added Tomlinson had not been involved in the burglary at Thornbridge Drive, Sheffield, on January 4, but had the stolen cards during that day and suggested he was used by others to make purchases.

Tomlinson, who has previous convictions, admitted two fraud matters and one count of handling stolen goods. He also admitted failing to comply with a community order imposed previously for handling stolen goods.

The defendant was sentenced to eight months of custody suspended for 12 months with a three-month curfew.