Kettering carer helped herself to vulnerable victims' cash

A disgraceful carer stole from vulnerable people with learning difficulties who she was supposed to be looking after.

Sophie Jones, of Duke Street in Kettering, abused the trust of her two victims about 40 times by fraudulently using their cards to take cash for herself.

And despite being caught out she went on steal an iPad from a third victim in her own home, leaving her upset and paranoid.

But the 29-year-old was spared from prison at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday (February 11) because of her previous good character and mental health issues.

The court heard Jones worked as a support worker at a care setting for people with complex needs in Wellingborough and had been employed there for about two years.

Staff there supported residents with their banking with cash cards kept in a safe and any money withdrawn or spent documented.

But in 2019 suspicious spending was spotted on the account of a woman with learning difficulties and staff carried out an audit.

Prosecuting, Priya Bakshi said they found transactions which did not align with records in their documents - and also uncovered fraud involving another man with learning difficulties.

She said: "The care home manager looked into the staff rota and that is how they discovered that the only staff member present (at those times) was Jones."

Over a three-month period Jones had breached their trust more than 40 times - using the woman's card for 33 transactions and the man's card on nine occasions.

A total of £1,578.20 was fraudulently taken from the woman she was supposed to be caring for, with the man losing £260.

Ms Bakshi said she was called in for a meeting with managers and became aggressive and upset, swearing and denying the accusations that she was behind the fraud.

She was suspended from her role but continued working for a care agency, providing care at home for vulnerable people.

And on November 19 - having already been caught out but having not yet been arrested - she added theft to a list of charges she was facing.

She arrived at a vulnerable woman's home to help her get washed and dressed before a hospital appointment.

But when the victim went outside for some air Jones took her iPad, with the theft noticed when she returned home later that day.

Unfortunately for Jones the victim had CCTV in her home having fallen victim to wicked carers before - with video footage showing her putting the iPad under her coat and taking it to her car.

Ms Bakshi said the victim, who used the iPad to video call friends and family and play games, had been unable to replace it.

She said: "It's caused her, understandably, a lot of upset especially during the Covid pandemic."

Police later searched Jones' home and found an iPad, which she claimed had been given to her by her grandfather. Documents were also recovered which revealed she was in debt.

Jones, who was supported in court by her partner, said she had got herself into financial difficulties and had at one point been living in her car with her dog.

She later admitted fraud and theft when she appeared before magistrates last year.

Mitigating, Katie Williams said Jones knew she needed to be punished and found her own actions "deeply distasteful".

But, making the case for a suspended sentence, she said the former carer had no previous convictions and had suffered from mental health issues.

She said a spell behind bars could return Jones to 'a dark place'.

She said: "Her mental health will suffer dramatically in prison."

Sentencing, His Honour Judge David Herbert QC said Jones' actions were disgraceful but decided he could just suspend the sentence because of her previous good character and mental health issues.

He told her: "By a whisker, I have given you a chance.

"Make sure this is the last time you are before the court."

Jones was jailed for 12 months, suspended for 21 months, and must take part in rehabilitation activities.

She must also wear a tag for six months and stay at home between 7pm and 7am every day. No orders for compensation were made.