CRIME proceeds inquiries are underway to consider the means of a woman jailed for “pilfering” more than £90,000 from her ailing mother.

Lucie Davis was granted power of attorney over her now late mother, Valerie North’s affairs, when she was admitted to a care home.

But the previously respected teacher and mother-of-three used her mother’s money for family expenditure, leaving a shortfall to pay her care home fees.

Davis, 53, of Bryans Leap, Burnopfield, near Stanley, who has no previous convictions, admitted theft of £92,944.

Imposing a 25-month prison sentence, at Durham Crown Court, last May, Judge Ray Singh told her: “You come to the court for pilfering, stealing your mother’s life savings, despicable and mean offences.

“You may have been trying to live above your means and, therefore, were motivated wholly by greed.

“All the good work you have done in your adulthood has, I’m afraid, gone to waste.

“These are awful, awful offences committed against your mother, who lacked the capacity, so you were given the power of trust.

“It was a breach of the highest degree of that trust.”

Read more: Jailed teacher 'lived beyond means'

The case was mentioned again at court today (Monday February 28) under Proceeds of Crime proceedings.

Judge Singh told the court: “I understand she has already served the sentence and is on home detention curfew, since early January.”

Martin Towers, for the Crown, said both sides in the case are awaiting to discover the outcome of the will of the defendant's mother.

Jennifer Coxon, for the defendant, said: “I can confirm that Miss Davis is making an application for probate.”

The court heard that following the defendant’s conviction power of attorney was transferred to Durham County Council.

Judge Singh adjourned the hearing for a fortnight for the defendant to attend, “with some meaningful documentation”, to show how things are progressing.

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