A
greedy carer ripped-off an elderly widow who needed help with
everyday chores out of £13,000 – treating herself to a new kitchen
and bathroom.
Effat
Chowdhury, 28, of Burlington Lane, Chiswick, preyed on the 87
year-old victim, who hired and paid her to provide assistance going
to the local shops.
She
was entrusted with the pensioner's PIN so she could also withdraw
cash from the victim's bank account, but abused this for her own
gain, also buying furniture, toys for her children and adventure park
trips.
Chowdhury
pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud by false representation at
Isleworth Crown Court.
She
was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment - suspended for 12 months
- 200 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £1,200 in
compensation.
Chowdhury
gained employment as a carer for the woman, who lived on her own in a
flat in Chiswick, after answering an online advert placed by her
daughter in February, 2017.
She
was employed to take the woman, who has mobility issues, out to the
local shops and hairdressers a couple of times a week, for a total of
three to four hours.
In
May 2017, the victim began to notice suspicious transactions on her
bank statements which she then passed on to her daughter.
These
included online purchases, despite the fact the victim did not own a
computer or know how to use one.
Police
were informed and detectives began an investigation.
Analysis
of bank statements showed Chowdhury had used the victim’s card to
buy items including a new kitchen and bathroom for her house,
furniture, toys for her children, tickets to adventure parks and more
– totalling around £13,572.
Detective
Constable Nicholas Strachan, who led the investigation, said:
“Chowdhury
cynically abused her position of trust by preying on an elderly woman
who had come to care for her and saw her as a friend.
“She
had no thought for the consequences of her actions and continued to
maintain her innocence until faced with overwhelming evidence.
“We
are pleased she has now admitted to her callous actions and hope this
serves as some comfort to the victim and her family.”
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