Chief Amongst Them Being Their Parentage...

Philip Tully, defending, said his client's benefits were reduced and she was "struggling to make ends meet and provide for her five children".

He said some of Rooney's children had difficulties and she "experienced a very difficult childhood and was a victim of crime herself".

Victim, perpetrator, what's the difference, eh, Phil?

Judge Murray told Rooney: "You committed very serious offences and caused misery to a number of elderly and vulnerable people.

"You've got a terrible record and for these offences, immediate imprisonment is richly deserved."

Yeah. There's a 'But...' coming. You knew that, right?

"On the other hand, you're a single parent with responsibility for five children and you've been out of trouble for six years.

"The author of the pre-sentence report says you're a good prospect for rehabilitation. At this stage, I'm just not sure about that."

But you're going to take the chance anyway. It's unlikely to be your elderly relatives targeted, after all.

I doubt they live in the sort of areas preyed on by this useless waste of oxygen, after all...

"Although you've been out of trouble for six years, this was a three-month period of planned and sustained activity, targeting vulnerable people."

The judge said in order to contemplate sparing Rooney jail, he needed more evidence, so deferred passing sentence.

If you don't already have enough, I'm not sure what more would help...

H/T: SmallThunderdog via Twitter