Care worker stole £16,500 from man with dementia

A CARE worker from Warrington has been jailed after admitting stealing £16,500 from a man with dementia.
Jemma Laney, 30, of Saundersfoot Close, Dallam pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to two counts of fraud by abuse of position and one of theft from a 78-year-old man. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
The court was told Laney was employed by a care agency to help the man prepare his evening meals and take his medication. However, on April 12, last year, she opened an online banking account on his accounts and started to spend large sums of the victim’s money.
As well as a large number of cash withdrawals there were significant sums spent on shopping online including shopping sprees at Next and Amazon on Michael Kors handbags and purses, a Tag Heur watch, a Louis Vuitton holdall and scarf, a Stella McCartney handbag and an Emporio Armani watch. She also spent money on trips to Alton Towers, Gulliver’s World, Haven Holiday Resorts and Chester Zoo.
A number of longstanding direct debits the victim made every month to charities were also cancelled by Laney.
In her interview with police Laney claimed that the victim had told her: “They are going to take everything, spend it all,” and gave her his bank card and statements.
The fraud was discovered after the victim’s social worker encouraged him to open some bank statements and a large number of dubious transactions were found.
After the hearing, Detective Constable Ian Morris said: “Laney used the victim’s failing health as an opportunity to steal money and spend it on luxury items for herself.
“This is a shocking way to treat a vulnerable man and I hope this sentence brings some comfort to the victim.”