Care home recovers after fraudster’s lies

THE CARE home whose manager swindled thousands of pounds from residents with dementia said it went through a “turbulent time” when her crimes were uncovered.

Jennie Preston, left, of Stone Barton Close, Plympton, admitted eight counts of theft and one of false accounting when she appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday. Preston stole a total of £90,334 from four residents at the Dewi Sant Residential Home, Mannamead, when she was manager.

The money was taken through cheques signed by residents, as well as through the person given power of attorney for another victim and by Preston withdrawing cash from their bank accounts.

A statement from the home said the 51-year-old was suspended from her role as manager in July 2010 and later resigned before a disciplinary hearing could be held.

“Due to issues and concerns raised at this time, the home underwent a safeguarding process with Plymouth Adult Social Services,” said the statement.

“A new management team was employed by Mannerest from August 2010 to assist the home to develop and implement new systems and work practices that would ensure that Dewi Sant recovered from what was an extremely turbulent time.”

With the safeguarding team, the home devised an action plan to improve service provision and support strategies for those affected by Preston’s actions.

“Since September 2010 there have been two other inspections from the Care Quality Commission, whereupon service provision has improved significantly and Dewi Sant is no longer under safeguarding or deemed as unfit as a care provider,” the statement read.

Preston will be sentenced on July 22.