A charity has raised concerns about how an elderly woman who was financially exploited by her granddaughters will be protected from abuse in the future.Age Concern said yesterday the Supreme Court convictions of sisters Lorraine Smith and Audra-Ann Bean for the senior abuse of 87-year-old Lenice Tucker were “best characterised as a victory that is bittersweet”.Smith and Bean, who stole almost half a million dollars from their grandmother, are the first to be found guilty of an offence under the Senior Abuse Register Act 2008. Their names will be the first to be added to the Island’s Senior Abuse Register.Claudette Fleming, Age Concern’s executive director, said in a statement: “As advocates for older persons we are pleased to see that there is an opportunity for justice when elder abuse has occurred.“However, we also recognise that as a result of the abuse there are no real winners in this family. Ms Tucker may have lost the connection to at least one of her favourite grandchildren and her granddaughters and their families must now bear the shame that comes with the conviction.“We hope that, in some meaningful way, the family may be able to restore relationships that may seem hopelessly severed.”Ms Fleming said of even greater concern was the “continued protection of Ms Tucker for her remaining years”.“Hopefully, the money that she has lost will be fully recovered,” she added. “However, before that is done, careful consideration must be given by the authorities as to who will monitor and advise Ms Tucker about where and how her money should be spent and safeguarded.“Our chief concern is whether Ms Tucker may still be at risk from other financial predators. We would urge the courts or any other relevant government authority, if it be within their powers, to ensure that mechanisms are in place to protect Ms Tucker going forward. It would be a further tragedy to see history repeat itself.”Smith, 46, and Bean, 44, both of Warwick, were found guilty by a Supreme Court jury on Thursday of senior abuse and theft. They will be sentenced at a later date.They deceived Ms Tucker, of Southampton, into adding them to her bank accounts when she was grieving the death of her 91-year-old sister and then siphoned off her funds for their own use.Ms Fleming said she hoped publicity surrounding the case meant the general public would have a greater appreciation for the importance of “informed estate and financial planning, in addition to the severe consequences that can arise when an older adult is abused, whether deliberately or in ignorance”.Useful website: www.ageconcern.bm.