Care worker who conned care home resident banned for life from working in care industry

A care worker, who defrauded a care home resident out of thousands of pounds in the pretence she was doing her shopping, has been given a 12-month suspended sentence and banned from working in the care industry for life.

Angela McIntyre, of Falmouth Road in south-east London, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years, and ordered to pay a compensation order of £50 a month for two years after she was found guilty of obtaining money by fraud.

The 55-year-old was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court. Officer on the case, PC Colin McMeekin, said: "McIntyre abused her position of trust and care to defraud a vulnerable woman.

"She continued with her scam over many months and was stopped after we were alerted by the bank. The victim was extremely shocked following this discovery.

"This case shows that anyone who is afforded a ‘position of trust’ over vulnerable adults and breaches that trust in a criminal manner will be vigorously pursued and brought to justice by the relevant authorities."

McIntyre worked at the care home in Chelsea where she met the 93-year-old woman. Over five months, she persuaded the woman to give her blank cheques under the guise of going shopping for her.

The investigation was started after the woman’s bank raised concerns about suspicious activity in the bank account.

In total, 23 cheques amounting to £4,800 were cashed from the pensioner’s account written out to McIntyre.

Whilst McIntyre had told the woman she would buy personal items for her, she actually only ever gave items from the care home. The care home confirmed that the items were provided to the resident free of charge.

She was subsequently arrested and charged.