PARIS — In two separate cases, a man and a woman admitted in Oxford County Superior Court on Tuesday to stealing from friends and acquaintances.

A Wells man admitted to stealing more than $1,000 in electronics from his friend’s home in Hiram, and a Paris woman admitted to taking a $5,000 loan from a woman she knew and not paying her back.

Carol Hart, 47, of Paris, admitted to theft by deception for borrowing $5,000 from a woman she knew on the premise that she would pay her back when she cashed in her 401(k) account.

According to Assistant District Attorney Richard Beauchesne, Hart said she couldn’t pay the woman back, and said she’d given the money to a scam artist in Africa who’d promised to give her more money.

The victim spoke in court, saying she’d recently lost her job at New Balance and had been assured Hart would pay her back quickly. The victim said the money was her savings for firewood, house payments and her daughter’s college bill.

Hart was ordered to pay $210 per month for 24 months in restitution.

Clifton D. Joyner, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and theft and was sentenced to pay $2,500 in restitution.

According to Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor, Joyner broke into a friend’s home and took a 42-inch television, a surround sound system, five iPods, cameras and other electronics valued at more than $1,000.

The victim arrived home to find the electronics missing and called police. He also contacted Joyner, who admitted to stealing the items but said he’d already sold some of them. He offered to return the rest, O’Connor said.

Joyner was sentenced to two years, all suspended, with two years of probation. He must not have any contact with the victim.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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