Carer jailed for theft from man with learning difficulties

A Welsh carer who plundered the bank account of a vulnerable man she was supposed to be looking after has been jailed.

Laura Jane Nichols, aged 26, admitted stealing £10,000 from the bank account of the man, “40 or 50 times.”

She was caught when a colleague at Elliots Hill Care Ltd temporarily took over her duties and realised what had been happening.

Nichols, of Houghton, Pembrokeshire, looked visibly shocked as the judge, Mr Recorder Ian Wyn Lloyd Jones, told her he would not be doing his job if he suspended the sentence.

Nichols sobbed in the dock at Swansea crown court as she was jailed for eight months.

Paul Hobson, prosecuting, said Nichols even cashed in the man’s tax sheltered ISA investment so she could get her hands on more money.

Nichols had been a team leader responsible for looking after the 41 year-old, who needed round the clock care.

He was unable to handle his financial affairs and Nichols had been entrusted with his bank card and his pin number.

She withdrew a total of £9,831 without his knowledge or permission and told police that she spent it on “rent, clothes and everyday living.”

Mr Recorder Jones added,“You were working for a company caring for vulnerable adults.

“On dozens of occasions you helped yourself to the victim’s money. You even transferred his ISA into a current account to get access to it.

“This was repeated offending by someone in a position of trust. You were there to look after him, not to take his money.”

The court heard that Elliots Hill had already refunded the victim.