A TYCROES mum who battled her way through a brain tumour and a stroke to give birth to a “miracle baby” has spoken of her disgust at learning that the best pal who held her hand through rounds of IVF treatment had stolen more than £1,000 from her bank account.

Alexanne Cherrington was so trusting of Maxine Tina Jones that she began to believe that her illness was leaving her too confused to remember buying goods on shopping trips.

Jones, of 78 Margaret Street in Ammanford, appeared before Llanelli magistrates on March 5 to admit theft and using a card belonging to Alexanne and husband Dean to buy goods totalling £1,227, between September 8 and December 10 last year.

“Maxine was my best friend for more than three years,” said Alexanne after the case.

“I’ve been through so much in the past few years.

“Maxine was there for me and, at least so I thought, helping me through a very difficult time in my life.”

The couple hit the headlines in 2013 when baby Amelia was born through IVF – despite doctors saying Alexanne’s treatment meant she could never have a child of her own.

“Maxine was at my side holding my hand as I went through IVF,” said Alexanne.

“We both cried together when it was a success.”

But late last year things started to change.

“I was struggling to manage the housework and look after my 22-month-old daughter at the same time so I asked if Maxine would help and offered to pay her £30 per week,” said Alexanne.

“Dean noticed money going missing from our joint account and things got very strained between us.

“He began asking why I was spending so much.

“I didn’t think I was, but Maxine kept saying it was down to my memory loss – a side effect of the stroke.”

Alexanne became so concerned that she took the bank card from her purse and put it out of harm’s way.

“I put it in the wardrobe, so I couldn’t use it,” she said.

However, when the couple returned from a family holiday, Dean noticed more money had disappeared.

“I was certain I hadn’t used it,” said Alexanne.

“To convince Dean I took him to the wardrobe to show him the card, but to our horror it was gone.”

The couple called the police, who obtained CCTV footage of 46-year-old Jones using the card in stores in Ammanford.

“It almost killed me to see her on the footage,” said Alexanne.

“I was devastated.”

Jones was made the subject of a 12-month community order and sentenced to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £1,227 compensation.

Alexanne and Dean are now looking to move home and start afresh after their nightmare few months.

“We don’t want to live in the house where she took advantage of our good nature,” said Alexanne.

“We want to move back up the Amman Valley to be closer to friends I can trust.”