Care home worker jailed for six months for stealing £11,500 from elderly woman

A care home worker, who stole £11,500 from an elderly woman who suffers from agoraphobia and severe anxiety, has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Mary Porter of Covert Road in West Bridgford, was sentenced at Nottinghamshire Crown Court having pleaded guilty to theft between January and June 2018.

Porter, who worked at a care home in Nottinghamshire, was found to be stealing in June last year, after a member of staff checked residents’ account balances. The bank card for one elderly resident was discovered to be missing from the safe and it transpired that Porter had taken it home which was against staff policy.

Police investigated and found Porter was permitted to make withdrawals on behalf of the elderly woman who suffers from agoraphobia and severe anxiety, but had also been making unauthorised transactions.

Police investigative officer Kieran Ward said: "We're really pleased to see this case result in a substantial jail term for Porter, following six months of gathering evidence and bringing it to court. People should never abuse their position in this way or take advantage of the elderly and vulnerable. We hope it sends a strong message out that they will get found out and held to account for their actions."

Nottinghamshire Police found a substantial amount of cash withdrawals had not been logged in line with agreed practice and CCTV footage showed Porter making the last eight unauthorised withdrawals using the resident’s bank card.