A woman who stole from a friend suffering from a serious neurological condition affecting her nerve functions has been ordered to pay her £2,400 compensation.

A judge had considered sending mother-of-three Elena Jeffery to jail for stealing £2,186 from Katherine Rees’ bank account.

But he suspended 14 months imprisonment for two years with supervision.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Jeffery, 37, had worked as Mrs Rees’ cleaner but then became good friends with her.

The victim told in a statement of her devastation when she discovered the theft.

Jeffery, she said, had helped her to feel part of the community again in Hadlow where they both lived on the same street.

“I thought she was a true friend,” she said. “I live in a small street where everybody knows everybody’s business.

“What has happened to me has made me feel physically sick that somebody I trusted can be so cruel and calculated. I believe she has used my vulnerability to her advantage."

Mrs Rees wept as she read the last few lines of her statement herself: “This cruel callous and calculated act will take me a long time to recover.”

“What has happened to me has made me feel physically sick that somebody I trusted can be so cruel and calculated. I believe she has used my vulnerability to her advantage” - Katherine Rees

Jeffery, of Warren Gardens, Hadlow, was due to be sentenced on Friday but Judge Jeremy Carey adjourned until Monday after hearing she had left her 12-year-old daughter outside court alone.

“This is a thoroughly irresponsible thing to do,” he said. “Is this holding the court to ransom? It puts the court in a difficult position.

“I am not prepared to sentence in circumstances where there is a little girl outside who may hear her mother has gone to prison and is left bereft for any period of time.

“Nor will I sentence in emotive circumstances. I direct that no child should come to court on Monday.”

Louise Oakley, defending, said Jeffery needed surgery after discovering a growth in her head.

“It is the ill-health of these two ladies that brought them closer together,” said Miss Oakley.

There was no loss to the victim as it was borne by her bank. Jeffery was planning to move to Tonbridge.

Judge Jeremy Carey ordered the compensation to be paid at the rate of £100 a month.