THE SON and daughter of Puckett's victim believe their mother knew she had been made penniless by Puckett just before her death.

When Ann Woodward died from a heart attack last year she had just £11 in her bank account after showing a balance of more than £38,000 two years before.

Philip Woodward, 37, and Joann Haig, 41, who both live in Yorkshire, were at Puckett's sentencing yesterday.

Mrs Haig said outside the court: "We think she was very distressed when she died and that she knew what had happened, but I think she was too proud to tell anyone."

She said Puckett "actively befriended" their mother and always seemed "someone who was personable and professional.

"She came across as a wonderful, caring person but she was the opposite, a woman who was consistently manipulative who lined up her victim."

Mrs Haig said: "Two Christmas cards addressed to my children were found hidden away in her office after she'd been asked to post them. "She found out there were cheques inside but she didn't re-post them - that's the level of the woman.

"My children couldn't understand why their grandmother hadn't sent them anything and it broke their hearts."

Mr Woodward said: "It was an absolute breach of trust in the most despicable manner.

"It was a heinous and despicable crime against a vulnerable and elderly person.

"I've still got a message on my phone after our mother died, telling how sorry she was.

"A short while later she stole the money meant for us after the television was sold."

The court heard all money stolen was spent, and because Puckett has no assets she will only have to pay a nominal confiscation order of £5. The court also heard Barclays bank have "stood some of the loss" suffered by Mrs Woodward.