Care home boss stole £14,000 from elderly to spend on Christmas gift and petrol

A care home boss who admitted stealing more than £14,000 from elderly residents, squandering some of the cash on a Christmas gift for her son, has been spared jail.

’Abuse of trust’

Sandra Lupton stole from the pensions and benefits accounts of 76-year-old Albert Roberts, who has Asperger’s, and 80-year-old John McLave, who has since died, after being trusted with their Post Office and bank cards to pay care fees at Liverpool's Garden Lodge Care Home.

Lupton appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 8 November and was sentenced for two counts of theft against the residents from September 2014 to October 2015.

The court heard 52-year-old Lupton had emptied the two residents’ accounts over seven months, spending their cash on a 32-inch TV as a Christmas present for her son, as well as cigarettes and petrol.

Mr Roberts’ money was spent on cigarettes and petrol despite him being a non-smoker, not a driver and owned no TV fitting the description.

The thefts began after Lupton was given financial management responsibilities at Garden Lodge, after a restructure when the care home (which had been part of Four Seasons Health Care) was taken over by Dovehaven Care Homes.

The court heard the mother of three tried to conceal her crimes by refusing to provide bank records to solicitors. Prosecuting, Steven McNally said Lupton in May 2015 started paying some care fees, after she realised she may be caught.

Lupton’s thefts were discovered by care compliance manager Yvonne Cropper who reported her to Karen Edwards, the care home’s former financial administrator, now regional manager. Ms Edwards said she was shocked to find the care home residents were in arrears.

’Greedy’

The prosecution said the case is 'all about dishonesty' and 'abuse of trust'.

Lupton was originally accused of stealing from 11 separate victims. Recorder Richard Archer, presiding, ordered 12 further counts against Lupton to lie on file.

Lupton was spared prison time after pleading guilty to two counts of theft on the day of trial on 5 November. Defending, Philip Astbury, referred to Lupton’s long-term mental health problems, clean record, and told the court Lupton had received a referral to see a psychiatrist.

Recorder Archer, presiding, sentenced Lupton to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, alongside 180 hours unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation requirement.

Recorder Archer told Lupton: “You, in my judgement, were greedy and it’s your greed ultimately that caught you out.”

Karen Edwards, whose audit at the care home uncovered the crimes, told Liverpool Echo: “I’m glad I ordered it and found it out.”