LISA YORK FROM GRAVESEND FACES COURT OVER ELDERLY WOMAN'S THEFT IN MAIDSTONE

Lisa York, a 54-year-old former care assistant residing in Gravesend, has made her initial court appearance charged with the theft of funds from an elderly woman she previously cared for. The allegations detail that York stole more than £4,650 from the vulnerable woman, although York herself admitted to taking only £1,000 of that amount. The case was subsequently transferred to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing, following a decision by the Magistrates' Court that a Newton Hearing was unnecessary, as the defence accepted the basis of her guilty plea.

During the hearing, prosecutor Piers Restell provided details about the elderly victim, who has been confined to her bed for the past eight years. The victim had approximately £12,000 in her bank account, but due to her condition, she was unable to attend court to give evidence. It was confirmed that she did not withdraw any cash during this period, which raised questions about the discrepancy in the financial records. Specifically, there was a gap of over £3,000 between the amount York admitted to taking and the remaining balance in the victim’s account.

York’s defence team argued that both the police and the Crown Prosecution Service were aware of the lack of internet connectivity at the victim’s residence, which complicated efforts to establish a video link for her testimony. They also questioned the technological measures taken to facilitate such a link, suggesting that other individuals may have had access to the victim’s bank account. The defence further claimed that some of the stolen cash was handed directly to the victim and used to pay a gardener, implying that not all funds were misappropriated without the victim’s knowledge.

It was also revealed that York was dismissed from her caregiving role last year after the theft was uncovered. The case has now been escalated to Crown Court, where the starting point for sentencing is nine months in custody. However, this could be reduced due to her early guilty plea. Magistrates, noting that the offence occurred before the implementation of new sentencing powers, ruled that York could face a maximum of six months in prison. She is scheduled to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on a future date, and bail has been granted pending her sentencing.