A WOMAN has been jailed for nearly four years after stealing £8,700 from a multiple sclerosis sufferer she befriended.

Lisa Grainey, aged 27, knew the PIN numbers to the woman's bank accounts and used her cards to withdraw every penny, spending the money on her heroin habit.

The elderly victim was shocked when she received a letter from the bank saying she was overdrawn.

Grainey, of Tower Grove, Leigh, initially denied the offence, but CCTV footage showed her making several withdrawals from the HSBC bank in Bradshawgate, Leigh. She pleaded guilty to the theft and selling heroin yesterday and was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to three years and 11 months in jail.

Grainey appeared in the dock with her father John, aged 56, of Tower Grove, who admitted selling heroin. He too was jailed for three years and 11 months.

Three other Leigh men caught selling drugs by police also appeared at court. They all pleaded guilty. Michael Bradley, aged 31, of Chapel Street, received a four-year sentence for supplying heroin and amphetamines. Paul Giles, aged 38, of Eden Grove, was jailed for five years after admitting selling heroin over a long period of time.

David Heyes, aged 34, of no fixed abode, also admitted selling heroin and was jailed for three and a half years. A sixth defendant, Kelly Waterworth, aged 18, of Vernon Street, Leigh, was discharged when the prosecution dropped charges against her.

Judge Hope said: "These were serious offences justifying lengthy custodial sentences."

The court heard that Lisa Grainey was ashamed of stealing the money from Mrs Hampson and wished to apologise to her victim. Her father became addicted to heroin after she moved in with him.

Both Bradley and Heyes had been addicted to drugs for many years and became dealers to feed their habits.

Giles had no assets and had just £5 in the bank when he was arrested.