The mother of a young child will spend Christmas in jail for frauds involving a bed-bound man she fleeced out of hundreds of pounds.

Charlie Dawkins wept as she was led to cells to begin a 13-month term after a judge branded the offences “repellent”.

The 28-year-old, of Blaxland Close, Faversham, saw James Cole as an easy target when she went to his home in the town to clean and shop for him.

Prosecutor Mary Jacobson said Mr Cole was severely disabled. He was confined to his bedroom and his ability to communicate was restricted.

Dawkins, who has a four-year-old daughter, had previously pleaded not guilty to fraud and Mr Cole had been willing to give evidence to the court by live link from his bed with the help of an intermediary.

The offences were discovered in August 2015 when the victim, who was visited daily by carers, told his sister he had no money. She was suspicious because she had put £3,000 into his account.

There were no bank statements in the flat and she noticed a debt to Littlewoods for internet shopping.

The matter was investigated and various transactions were discovered which Mr Cole knew nothing about. His name and details had been fraudulently used, Miss Jacobson told Maidstone Crown Court.

Dawkins had set up various accounts in his name but used her own mobile telephone number.

Police went to her flat and found various items ordered in Mr Cole’s name. They included a £325 ring which Dawkins pawned for £45, a cooker and furniture.

Mr Cole paid her £60 a week and trusted her with his bank card to take out cash for him.

Other parcels seized were addressed to Anna Kirby, who had occupied Dawkins’ flat before she moved into it from Sittingbourne.

Dawkins had used her identity to order goods such as a bookcase, lamp, curtains and exercise equipment from various companies.

"They were undoubtedly repellent offences" - Judge Charles Macdonald QC

When arrested, Dawkins claimed Mr Cole had offered to pay for things for her new flat and she repaid him weekly.

Miss Jacobson said the value of items in the frauds totalled just under £3,000. Banks had reimbursed the victims but the companies were out of pocket.

Mr Cole’s sister said in a statement she had since obtained power of attorney to manage his affairs.

Ms Kirby said her credit rating had been affected and she had been unable to obtain a mortgage.

Keith Yardy, defending, submitted a suspended sentence could be passed on Dawkins, who had a previous conviction for fraud.

“There is strong mitigation here,” he said. “She has demonstrated remorse into the impact of her offending. Her disabled partner has suffered ill-health and she is the mother of a young child.

“Immediate custody will result in a significant harmful impact on others. Separation can have devastating consequences for a young child.”

But Judge Charles Macdonald QC said there was “an opportunist breach of trust” in Mr Cole’s case.

“They were undoubtedly repellent offences,” he said. “I take account of your difficult past. I see little remorse here, as shown by your late pleas.

“Because of the impact on your child, and no other reason, I shall pass a significantly shorter sentence than the offences deserve.

“There is an absolute absence of strong mitigation. I have thought carefully about the impact on your daughter, but I must do justice and immediate custody is the only sentence here.”