Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for woman (65) who stole from elderly friend as she lay on sickbed
Summary
A 65‑year‑old woman, Lynda Goldsmith, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with 14 months suspended, after pleading guilty to four counts of stealing cash and one of theft of an ATM card from a 90‑year‑old friend while the victim was in hospital. Goldsmith had taken more than €2,700 from the victim's bank account over three months, using the victim's debit card and a stolen ATM card, and had also taken an unquantified amount from the victim's purse. The judge noted that the thefts were aggravated by the victim's illness and that Goldsmith had memorised the victim's PIN. Goldsmith's guilty plea, admissions, ill health and remorse were considered in mitigation. She will serve 14 months of probation and is prohibited from unsupervised volunteer care work. The victim's son gave a victim impact statement describing the thefts as a profound loss of security and trust. The case was prosecuted by the Gardaí.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for woman (65) who stole from elderly friend as she lay on sickbed. Charges or matters: four charges of stealing cash and one of theft of an ATM card which were a representative sample of 31 thefts between January 16, 2019 and April 4, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 16, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 4, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2015 Other
- April 2007 Other
- Christmas Other
- 2020-12-14 Publication
Why: Det Gda Brennan said Goldsmith admitted in garda interview that she stole the cash because she felt her pension didn't go very far and said "I thought it would be nice to have a bit of money". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: four charges of stealing cash and one of theft of an ATM card which were a representative sample of 31 thefts between January 16, 2019 and April 4, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Sonya McLean and Fiona Ferguson A 65-year-old woman who stole her elderly friend while visiting her in hospital and took more than €2,700 from the victim over three months has been jailed for four months. Judge Codd imposed an 18 month sentence and suspended the final 14 months.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request