The trusted carer of a severely injured accident victim has avoided jail despite raiding his bank account of around £2,500 while also ripping-off a 93 year-old woman.
Catherine Berry, 30, was employed via agency Christies Care to look after brain-damaged, wheelchair-bound Stephen Burningham, who in 1992 was injured in a serious road traffic accident.
The mum-of-one, of Cornbrash Rise, Paxcroft Mead, Trowbridge pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to twenty-two months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard south-west London resident Mr. Burningham is also severely weakened down the right side if his body, suffers shortage of breath and has serious pulmonary issues.
His food needs to be pureed to avoid choking and Berry, was employed to care for him and observe a strict protocol when handling his finances.
However, she withdrew up to £100 a time from his account, which she was not entitled to, spending the money on her boyfriend’s birthday and online gambling.
She was originally charged with defrauding Mr. Burningham between July 27, 2016 and July 10, 2017 and on June 19, last year was convicted of defrauding another client in Leicester.
For that offence Berry was placed on a community order and told to pay £150 compensation to the 93 year-old victim she was caring for.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC told Berry: “You abused your position, taking money out of the account.
“You used the account to gamble online, pay for a parking ticket and spend money on things for yourself.
“He could not manage his financial affairs and needed constant care.
“This was committed over a sustained period of time and you have previous convictions for doing the same thing.
“You made a deliberate attempt to cover up your criminal activity and six months of records went missing.”
Judge Plaschkes noted there were only a few days between Berry taking money from both Mr. Burningham and the Leicester OAP.
Berry had fought the case and only admitted her guilty after the jury heard the prosecution’s evidence against her.
“You waited until all the prosecution evidence had been given,” the judge told a tearful Berry.
Berry’s partner remained outside court with their five month-old son as Judge Plaschkes added: “I have been told you are likely to lose your home family home if you are imprisoned.”
Berry was also sentenced to a three-month electronically-tagged home curfew between 7pm and 7am and she must complete a 20-day probation-ordered activity requirement.
There was no order for compensation.
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