Care worker defrauded pensioner

A care worker from Thame with a drugs problem, and who took an elderly resident’s bank card and used it to withdraw money, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Windmill Place care home, Thame

Abigail Smith, 35, of Thame Park Road, Thame, had pleaded guilty back on June 22, to fraud by abuse of position at Windmill Place care home for the elderly in Thame.

Oxford Crown Court heard on Monday (29/06) that Smith had made multiple cash withdrawals from the account of Margaret Surgey, an elderly resident who had suffered a stroke and was beginning to suffer dementia.

The fraud amounted to a total of £4,982.84 and was discovered after a Department for Work and Pensions direct debit for Ms Surgey was returned due to a lack of funds in the account.

Smith was apparently held in high esteem by colleagues but according to her Defence lawyer, had been fighting a cocaine habit and the effects of having had an abortion. She was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered todo 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge also ordered that Smith attend a drug rehabilitation Centre and placed on a 12 month Supervision Order.

Confiscation proceedings to recover the stolen money have been put in place.

SOURCE: Oxford Mail