The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A single mum-of-five with money worries took £500 from a family friend for whom she was a carer.
Julie Reast, of Cherry Tree Grove, Spalding, used the vulnerable man’s bankcard to withdraw the money from his bank account.
Boston Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday that she was working for Atlas Care at the time and an arrangement was in place whereby his card was used by employees to pay for his food shopping and then returned to a safe.
Prosecutor Paul Wood said Atlas Care became aware of discrepancies.
“Money had been withdrawn when it shouldn’t have been,” he said.
Reast was identified as the carer in attendance at the time. She was arrested and interviewed by police.
“She admitted she had taken the money due to financial pressures of bills and Christmas coming. She understood it was a loan of monies that she was going to pay back. Clearly her act was dishonest as he was in no position to give it or loan it,” added Mr Wood.
Reast (34) pleaded guilty to £500 fraud by abuse of position between December 21 and December 31, 2018.
Solicitor Helen Coney said in mitigation that the man had lived with Reast’s grandparents at one time and Reast saw the money as a loan. She had never not intended to repay it.
The court was told that police were willing to offer a caution on condition Reast repaid the money but criminal proceedings were instigated when she was unable to.
Miss Coney said her client was in a different financial position now to that at the time of the offence and had contacted social care to try and arrange to pay back the money.
Reast was fined £160 and ordered to pay £500 compensation to the man and £85 court costs.
