Bingo Addition Lands Barbara Taylor in Court

by Hollie Sanders

It has been reported today in the Bolton News that 58 year old Barbara Taylor has stolen thousands of pounds from her elderly neighbour in order to fund her bingo addiction, which was really sad to hear.

The offenses include over £20,000 worth of cash and two counts of fraud. Barbara has reported pleaded guilty to three offenses which took place between June 2009 and February this year, but only to the sum of £11,670.

Barbara is said to have run errands for her elderly neighbour, Elizabeth Bailey and have control of her finances, so some of the £20k was apparently used legitimately and some was not. Elizabeth is old and infirm and no doubt relied on her so called friend Barbara (who probably thought she had got away with such a dishonest and callus act because her stealing went unnoticed for nearly two years).

Liverpool Crown Court were told that Barbara  Taylor had a bingo gambling addiction and she had used large sums of the money she had stole to fund her habit at bingo clubs.  Judge Gerald Clifton give Barbara a further remand on bail until 5th January whilst he waits for the pre-sentencing reports to be completed, but he did warn her that – “stealing in this way is generally punished by immediate imprisonment.” And rightly so!

This is not the first time we have heard of someone who has a gambling problem end up in court because of money they have stole to fund their habit and it will probably not be the last either. Do they need help or punishment though, that is the question? Well each case does have its own mitigating circumstances, but to steal from an old lady who needed help really does beggar belief.

If you think your gambling is getting out of control there are people out there who can help you. We would recommend visiting Gamcare or GambleAware.