Care home manager who stole money meant for residents' haircuts 'failed to care'

A care home manager who took money needed to pay for the haircuts of elderly residents with dementia, has been spared jail.

Newcastle Crown Court heard 48-year-old Loraine Brunton stole more than £4,000 while working for a care home in Cramlington, Northumberland.

The woman purposely didn't bank the cash for the care home’s business, despite it being needed to cover the cost of a hairdresser for residents.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Brunton began working for the business in 2013 and in 2017 was general manager. The hiring of a financial director led to Brunton’s theft being uncovered and her suspension. Brunton later resigned.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch said: "The business appeared low on funds when that ought not to have been the case. Out of £11,500 paid, £4,000 had not been banked by her but had been dishonestly taken by her and used for her own purposes."

The care home's owner Lucy Craig told The Chronicle, Brunton "failed to value the core elements that define me and my homes, she failed to care about the vulnerable and the hard working core of our society.

"As a result she has put my reputation on the line, she came close to crippling the business financially and she has, yet again, portrayed a care home to be about the money.”

Brunton, who has no previous convictions, admitted theft and was sentenced to a community order for 18 months.

Fiona Lamb, defending Brunton, said: "She has never been in trouble before, this was completely out of character. There is genuine remorse, she's extremely upset and disappointed at herself that this offence has happened.

"She always accepted taking some of the money but the amount was disputed. She suffers from mental health problems.”