Prison threat for carer who took £20,000 from elderly couple

A carer who defrauded an elderly couple out of £20,000 has been warned she could face jail even if she repays the money.

Caroline Davis took the money from Rodney and Lily Crowder while she was looking after them.

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that Davis first became involved with the couple when she became Mrs Crowder’s hairdresser.

“She became more and more trusted by the Crowders and began to perform other duties including shopping and cleaning.

“At the beginning there were no problems. She was given access to both the bank cards and the PIN numbers of Mr and Mrs Crowder.”

Miss Bradley said that Mr Crowder suffered a fall in June 2012 and was admitted to a care home. After that Davis continued to help Mrs Crowder with shopping and housework but four months later their son checked his mother’s bank account and noticed large sums of cash were being taken out. He also discovered his father’s cheque book was missing.

Further checks revealed money had also been removed from Mr Crowder’s account and police were called in. When Davis was arrested she admitted she was given the bank cards to do the couple’s shopping.

Miss Bradley told the court: “She said she was under financial pressure. “She said she would take money out for the shopping and keep £30 or £40 for herself. That clearly snowballed.

“She said she had intended to pay the money back.”

Miss Bradley said that Davis’ bank account had £10,900 in it which has since been frozen as a result of a court order.

Davis (38), of Newlands Road, Surfleet, admitted fraud between November 2011 and July 2013. The court heard that the £10,900 was available to pay compensation and relatives are in the process of taking out loans which would also go towards compensation.

Nick Bleaney, defending, said: “There is the prospect of the whole of the £20,000 being repaid. “She is three-quarters of the way there.”

Recorder Michael Stephens adjourned sentence for four weeks to allow for the repayment situation to be clarified and granted bail to Davis.
But he told her: “Even if you are able to repay the whole amount the sentencing judge will still have all options in mind.”