Carer Stole From Wheelchair Bound MS Woman

A carer who withdrew £150 from the bank account of the wheelchair-bound woman she looked after has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Kerri Graham, 35, stole the money from Janice Painter, who suffers severe multiple sclerosis, because she was in mortgage arrears, a court heard.

Graham paid for groceries at a superstore with Mrs Painter’s debit card and later removed it from her handbag while she was in bed. She went to a cash machine and drew £150 before putting the card back in the handbag.

The theft came to light when Mrs Painter’s bank refused to repay her the missing money.

Jonathan Reynolds, prosecuting, said Graham, who was not a qualified carer, at first denied thieving.

She later sent a text message to Mrs Painter saying she would give herself up to the police, telling them she had been in mortgage arrears.

Graham, of Chelmsford Road, Felsted, admitted stealing £150 belonging to Mrs Painter on September 10 when she appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates.

She was jailed for 16 weeks suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to pay Mrs Painter £250 compensation.

Graham must also attend the Think First programme and undergo education and work training.