Care Chief Plundered Pensioner’s Account For Spending Spree

A care manager in charge of a residential home for the elderly stole a pensioner’s cash machine card and went on a spending spree.

Joseph Coogan was trusted so much by residents of the Glentanar Court sheltered housing complex in Paisley that he was invited into their rooms, providing him with access to their property.

However, unknown to the residents, Coogan had a gambling addiction. And, when he saw a cash-machine card lying openly, accompanied by a note with the PIN security number written alongside, he took it.

Paisley Sheriff Court was told how Coogan withdrew a total of £7,300 before his 80-year-old victim realised that her card was missing.

Coogan treated himself to a holiday in Ireland, purchased a computer and spent all the money.

Now, a sheriff has been told that a relative has offered Coogan a job to allow him to make repayment to his victim.

The bank involved – Abbey – said that the pensioner compromised herself by keeping the PIN number beside her card and have refused a refund.

Coogan, 30, told the court that he had no income and that his parents had no assets or capital to go towards making some restitution.

However, another family member stepped in at the last moment and offered him a job with a salary of £300 per week.

That, it was stated, would allow him to make “substantial monthly payments”.

His former career is in tatters due to the breach of trust involved. Coogan had worked as a carer – first as an auxiliary then as a manager – for ten years.

The court was told he took advantage of his position when the octogenarian was suffering from a chest infection and called him to ask if he would go to the Post Office for her and call a doctor.

In court, Coogan admitted stealing the card and security number, and obtaining the cash by theft.

Hazel Emmerson, the depute fiscal, yesterday said it was several weeks before Coogan’s victim received a statement and noticed a large number of cash withdrawals from her account.

Police were alerted and immediately suspected Coogan as some of the transactions had been made in Ireland, at a time when he had been on leave there.

Coogan was traced and questioned and admitted his guilt, saying it had been “a moment of absolute madness”.

He conceded that he had taken advantage of a vulnerable person and had “squandered the money”.

Sheriff Shirley Foran said she wanted to make sure that Coogan had re-commenced employment and was in a position to pay compensation as that was the most pressing issue.

She deferred sentence until 26 June, calling Coogan, of Nitshill, Glasgow, back to court then with proof that his proposal was a real one.

Glentanar Court is run by Cairn Housing Association, which manages more than 2,800 properties throughout Scotland.

No-one from Cairn was available for comment last night.

The association is currently advertising Coogan’s old job, which has a salary of over £13,000. The job description states applicants must “have a caring, professional approach”.