South Tyneside carer stole thousands from OAPs

A TRUSTED carer at a South Tyneside care home stole thousands of pounds from elderly people she was meant to be looking after.

And support worker Joanne Brabbs was told her actions represented “a serious breach of trust” after she used cashcards belonging to two 79-year-old men to buy shopping and access cash.

Prosecutors claimed at Newcastle Crown Court that the 30-year-old stole £10,000 from one of the residents at Hagan Hall sheltered accomodation in Jarrow where she worked and £2,000 from another.

But Brabbs yesterday pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by abuse of position on the basis she stole just over £3,000.

Prosecutors said it is not in the public interest to have a trial, which would involve the victims giving evidence, to determine the exact amount taken.

A term of Brabbs’ contract of employment stated she was not allowed to access residents bank accounts, use their cashcards or know their pin numbers.

But the court heard she used the card to buy shopping at Asda and take out lump sums of money.

Brabbs, of Manor Way, Jarrow, will be back in court next month after the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Judge John Evans granted her bail in the meantime but said the offences were a serious breach of trust.

The judge told her: “The fact I am adjourning the case for a pre-sentence report must not be taken by you as an indication of the way in which you will be sentenced.”