WE MUST JAIL CARERS WHO STEAL FROM THE ELDERLY
COURTS must get tough on heartless criminals who prey on the elderly and vulnerable, a charity boss said last night.
The call for more convictions and jail in the worst cases came after a carer caught stealing money from a war veteran was given just a community sentence.
Susan Pell was employed to help frail 89-year-old Peter Carpenter around his home. Instead she plundered his wallet for cash.
But her thefts were recorded on surveillance cameras installed by Mr Carpenter’s worried family in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
Pell, 65, pleaded guilty to stealing £50 and was given a year-long community order and told to carry out 150 hours unpaid community work.
She was also ordered to pay £170 in costs, plus £50 compensation to Second World War seaman Mr Carpenter, who survived his ship being torpedoed.
But Stephen McCarthy, director of Action on Elder Abuse, said few such crimes are punished at all.
He said: “It is just one example of the scandalously ignored epidemic of crimes committed against older people in the UK every year.
“We are campaigning to ensure a much higher proportion reach the courts than the pitiful amounts we currently see.
Hate
“We will also push for prison sentences for the most serious offences – instead of the all too common community service orders and fines.
“We shall continue until those who prey on vulnerable older people have a genuine fear of significant consequences.”
Each year money and property worth £42million is taken from pensioners.
Research by Action on Elder Abuse came up with an estimate of 413,500 people aged 65 or over experiencing some form of abuse a year.
But the number of successful convictions – just 3,012 in England and Wales last year – represents less than one per cent of those crimes.
The “shockingly low” rate is less than racially motivated, homophobic, disability and transphobic crimes and domestic abuse.
The police are required to record these categories of crimes as hate crimes, yet no category exists for elder abuse.
The charity is now campaigning for a change in the law that would see crimes against the elderly recognised as an aggravated offence.
Campaigner Esther Rantzen, 76, said: “Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse.
“Sometimes it is professional carers, sometimes family members, sometimes trusted friends and sometimes it is conmen. They are the lowest of the low. Stealing from people who trust and depend on you is a total betrayal that leaves lasting damage and erodes faith in humanity.
“I hope the courts regard this as the serious crime it is.”
Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: “Older people receiving care are highly vulnerable and in no position to protect themselves and their property, so it is of paramount importance that anyone paid to look after them is trustworthy.
“We are lucky that the vast majority of carers are honest. But any theft from an older person by a professional carer is sickening.”
Meanwhile Mr Carpenter recalled his depression over the betrayal by thieving Pell as he recovered from an aneurysm.
He said: “If she was short of money, I’d have given her £20.”