Care Worker Stole Thousands From Elderly Woman

A care home cheat has narrowly escaped prison after embezzling more than £5,500 from an elderly resident.

Anne-Marie McCann, aged 37, of Compass Close, Murdishaw, Runcorn, abused her position as an administrator at Norton Lodge Care Home to gain access to personal details of an old woman.

The court heard that on May 28, McCann used the pin number and bank card of Winifred Thompson to withdraw £300 from her bank account.

She made repeated withdrawals, over the following three months, until Mrs Thompson passed away on September 7.

The crime was only discovered after she died, when her niece noticed suspicious withdrawals on her bank statements.

McCann walked into Widnes Police Station and admitted to fraud by abuse of position.

She claimed she was in financial difficulty and suffering from depression since the birth of her children.

Prosecutor Graham Gerston said: “She used the money to pay bills and during her interview she was upset and remorseful.”

Since being charged, McCann has raised the money to fully compensate Mrs Thompson’s family.

Defending Scott Dennis said: “She is a lady of previous good character and has said if she could turn the clock back she would.

Judge Thomas Teague gave McCann an eight-month suspended sentence, a 12-month supervision order and a three-month curfew.

He said: “This was a despicable offence. You were in a position of trust of an elderly lady who has since died.

“While you can’t of course buy your way out of punishment, your actions in raising the money confirms your remorse is genuine and despite the unpleasant nature of this offence I can justify suspending your sentence.

“You have had a very narrow escape.”