Sharon Brunton leaves Newcastle Magistrates' Court. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A woman allegedly defrauded her mother-in-law with dementia to the tune of more than £29,000 by using her bank card. Sharon Brunton is accused of taking the cash over a two-year period and while the elderly woman lived in assisted accommodation.

The 61-year-old is suspected of using the victim's bank card to take a total of £29,836.60 without permission. Brunton, of Mast Lane, in Cullercoats , was in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week to face one count of fraud by false representation, which she denied.

Instead, she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address during the brief hearing. Jade Houston, prosecuting, said: "The complainant is the defendant's mother-in-law. She

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