Downham Market woman Lorrayne Midgen-Romain faces years in jail after taking nearly £10,000 from bed-bound pensioner

A woman faces years behind bars after taking nearly £10,000 from a bed-bound 81-year-old.

After finding out about the crime, the victim, a woman who is partially blind and deaf and lives in a Downham care home, said: “I wish I would die.”

Lorrayne Midgen-Romain, 65, of Southfields in Downham, admitted fraud by false representation when she appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

She was a close friend of the victim, and had also been appointed to have her power of attorney - allowing her to make decisions on her behalf.

Part of this arrangement allowed Midgen-Romain to control her bank card, purchasing necessities and making transfers between accounts.

However, the victim realised something was wrong when she noticed £20,000 had been stolen from her home, the court heard.

Police reviewed her accounts, and discovered that Midgen-Romain was responsible for spending £9,512.86 without permission.

She was arrested in July last year, having held power of attorney since the start of the year.

Numerous newly-bought items were found in Midgen-Romain’s home, many of which were still in their packaging.

Upon finding out about the fraud, the victim asked: “Why are people doing this to me?”

She added: “I hope it wasn’t her. She is the only one I have left.”

Magistrates committed Midgen-Romain’s case to the crown court due to the “high impact” she has had on a “very vulnerable victim”.

Sentencing guidelines mean she faces a starting point of three years in jail.

Midgen-Romain will appear at Norwich Crown Court on February 10 to learn her fate, and has been released on conditional bail.

A pre-sentence report has been requested from the probation service.