Sharon Twitchett had become friends with the victim, who has autism and a range of learning difficulties, through his friendship with her son.

Norwich Crown Court heard the 54-year-old became his financial appointee, meaning she was authorised by the Department for Work and Pensions to manage his state benefits.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

However, while in this position, she then drained £11,129 from his account over a four year period from 2017 to 2021.

Ian James, prosecuting, said Twitchett, a taxi driver, took the money, which came from the victim's benefits, to pay for rent for her flat, as well as pet insurance, beauty products, hair treatment and wine.

She appeared in court on Monday, having previously admitted fraud.

Sharon Twitchett (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The court heard her taxi driver licence had been revoked by Great Yarmouth Borough Council after her offending emerged in October last year.

Before she was sentenced Mr James read out a statement from the sister of the victim who said Twitchett "knew my brother's vulnerabilities and took advantage of him anyway".

She said he was "not good at all" as a result of what happened and has "lost trust in his friends and people in general".

The sister said the victim believed Twitchett was "his friend" who was caring for and looking after him, but he had "betrayed" that.

She said he is having to "rebuild his trust in people" but that she - and the rest of his family - would be supporting him.

Recorder Nicola Fitches said Twitchett, of Holy Way, Gorleston, had "repeatedly exploited your vulnerable victim and only stopped when you were found out".

Jailing Twitchett for 19 months, Recorder Fitches said she stole from him "repeatedly" causing him to suffer a "serious financial and emotional impact".

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Rob Pollington, mitigating, accepted this was "an extremely serious case with harrowing consequences for a very vulnerable individual".

He said the defendant does feel "shame and remorse".

He said this arrangement to be an appointee for the victim "should never have happened" and was a "catastrophic" mistake. 

Mr Pollington said Twitchett found herself "going further and further down a rabbit hole" having set off with "good intentions" at the start. 

He said she accepted full responsibility but suffers from fibromyalgia brain fog and "can't remember doing it".

But the barrister said she "wants to be a better person".

Twitchett was also made the subject of a restraining order banning her from contacting the victim directly or indirectly for two years.

© Eastern Daily Press