SCALES OF JUSTICE Devious carer stole £8k from pensioners

A CALLOUS carer stole £8,000 from pensioners with severe learning difficulties.

Devious Margaret Fitzgerald was initially charged with helping herself to £14,461.06 from her three vulnerable victims, however pleaded guilty to taking the lesser amount between January 27, 2014 and September 29, 2014 and stealing a bank card.

On Monday, Glasgow Sheriff Court was told that the 34-year-old accused was employed to look after two men, aged 86 and 72, and a woman, aged 79.

The fiscal depute explained that the female service user, who had learning difficulties, epilepsy and was deaf, required constant care.

Among the accused’s remit was to make the woman dinner and escort her to social events.

As the pensioner was not able to use her bank card, Fitzgerald was authorised to withdraw money for her.

A witness checking the woman’s bank statements found discrepancies. Suspicions then fell on the accused and her employer.

Following an investigation, further inconsistencies were found within the bank statements of two other men with severe learning disabilities who were also cared for by Fitzgerald.

It was discovered that the accused was documenting a lesser amount of cash than what was actually withdrawn.

When the police became involved, the accused admitted during questioning that she was not going to deny the accusations.

In defence it was highlighted that repayment would not be an easy option as Fitzgerald was cur- rently unemployed. The accused, who has no previous convictions and has offered to repay the money stolen, was said to be “genuinely remorseful” of her actions.

Sheriff Shona Gilroy deferred sentence for six months for good behaviour and to give Fitzgerald time to find a job with a mind to reimburse her victims.

The accused may also face a Community Payback Order with an unpaid work element.

Fitzgerald, of Finlas Street, will return to court on June 18, next year, for punishment.