Carer Caught Stealing Thousands From Autistic Lady Is Jailed
http://moneycarer.org.uk/articles/articles/36/1/Carer-Caught-Stealing-Thousands-From-Autistic-Lady-Is-Jailed/Page1.html
Money Carer
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Published on 8/11/2007
A carer from Calderdale entrusted to look after a 62-year-old woman milked more than £2,500 from her bank account. Denise McBride, 29, of Woodside Road, Boothtown, Halifax, was jailed for four months.
Carer Caught Stealing Thousands From Autistic Lady IsJailed
Judge Peter Benson told her: "What you admitted was one of the most serious breaches of trust it is possible to imagine."
McBride stole the money from Judith Kershaw, who suffers autism and learning difficulties. She lives in special accommodation in Mytholmroyd.
In a cruel twist, McBride had been brought in to look after her because a previous carer had also stolen from the 62-year-old.
McBride, the court heard, had been placed to look after her because she was deemed trustworthy. Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said: "The victim previously had money stolen from her by a member of staff so McBride was put in charge of her."
Staff at the home, run by Creative Support, a Manchester-based charity, have access to patients' accounts with their permission, Bradford Crown Court heard.
Mr Nicholson said: "The manageress was alerted to a high number of
transactions from the complainant's account.
"McBride was asked why they hadn't appeared on bank sheets. The defendant said they had been lost but later said she had taken them without permission."
McBride was arrested and admitted stealing £2,530 in 31 transactions.
Defending, Andrew Lees said: "She fell into debt looking after her family. She had every intention of paying the money back.
"Now she has lost her job and her good name. This is a lady who is extremely remorseful and ashamed."
McBride admitted theft and was sentenced to four months and ordered to repay the money.
A director of Creative Support, who were not in charge of the home the first time money was stolen, said: "We immediately suspended the individual and her employment was terminated."
McBride stole the money from Judith Kershaw, who suffers autism and learning difficulties. She lives in special accommodation in Mytholmroyd.
In a cruel twist, McBride had been brought in to look after her because a previous carer had also stolen from the 62-year-old.
McBride, the court heard, had been placed to look after her because she was deemed trustworthy. Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said: "The victim previously had money stolen from her by a member of staff so McBride was put in charge of her."
Staff at the home, run by Creative Support, a Manchester-based charity, have access to patients' accounts with their permission, Bradford Crown Court heard.
Mr Nicholson said: "The manageress was alerted to a high number of
transactions from the complainant's account.
"McBride was asked why they hadn't appeared on bank sheets. The defendant said they had been lost but later said she had taken them without permission."
McBride was arrested and admitted stealing £2,530 in 31 transactions.
Defending, Andrew Lees said: "She fell into debt looking after her family. She had every intention of paying the money back.
"Now she has lost her job and her good name. This is a lady who is extremely remorseful and ashamed."
McBride admitted theft and was sentenced to four months and ordered to repay the money.
A director of Creative Support, who were not in charge of the home the first time money was stolen, said: "We immediately suspended the individual and her employment was terminated."