Carer Thieved Off Mystery Novelist

A carer employed by an award-winning mystery author today admitted stealing from the 86 year-old woman, who has sadly developed dementia.

Vicky Mari Stallon, 27, of Varndell Street, Regent's Park, looked-after US-born novelist Marian Babson, who has penned forty-five books and in 1996 was awarded the prestigious Dagger in the Library award by the Crime Writers Association for her body of work.

She pleaded guilty to one count of theft committed between April 1 and September 30, last year, but disputes the prosecution case she stole £27,000, claiming the true figure is no more than £15,000.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard £13,680 was credited to Stallon's account while she was employed by the author – real name Ruth Stenstreem – at her home in Trinity Court, Gray's Inn Road.

Police have calculated £27,000 vanished from the victim's account, but Stallon's lawyer Mr. Richard Barratt said: “Other carers took the complainant to the bank and cashed large cheques.

“The habit of the complainant was to take large amounts of cash out of her bank account to put in envelopes for bills.”

He described the defendant as “a very vulnerable individual”, he added: “She became an online gambler. That is where the money went and mobile phone credits.

“She was not a carer for the full period. There was also a friendship.”

Judge Daniel Worsley told her: “You have done well to admit your dishonesty, but it's a terrible crime in breach of trust”

She will be sentenced on October 20.