Nottingham carer guilty of stealing £5,000 from disabled client

NOTTINGHAM CARER GUILTY OF STEALING £5,000 FROM DISABLED CLIENT

A Nottingham carer has appeared in court after stealing over £5,000 from a disabled client's account.

Alison James, 37, of Alwyn Road in Aspley, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

James was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, during the hearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on March 14.

The court heard James had used her client's bank card to withdraw cash, whilst using it for her own benefit.

Nottinghamshire Police investigated after a care provider raised suspicions.

James initially denied wrongdoing, but was then presented with evidence of the vast sums she had stolen.

Detective Sergeant Thomas Rawlings, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a very sad case which saw a highly vulnerable woman lose money.

The victim had difficulty communicating due to her health and James exploited this.

She was in a position of trust, but was willing to defraud the victim on several occasions for her own personal gain.

I hope this case sends a message that Nottinghamshire Police takes fraud and financial abuse really seriously and we investigate all reports we receive thoroughly."