Callous carer defrauded ‘frail’ woman of £36k
A CARER conned more than £36,000 from a “frail” 96-year-old woman and used it to order clothes for herself from Peacocks, ASOS and Sports Direct.
Ceri Stickler breached her position of trust by defrauding Margaret Freitas, who was unable to leave her bed following a fall, taking advantage of her chequebook and bank details.
Sentencing the defendant at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: “She was a particularly vulnerable lady because of her age and frailty.”
The court heard the offending happened in Bridgend between November 2016 and April 2018.
Thomas Roberts, prosecuting, described Ms Freitas as an “elderly lady” who was particularly vulnerable due to sight and hearing loss.
Nephew Brian Lewis said his aunt was outgoing and capable until she had a serious fall about four years ago, causing a rapid decline in her physical and mental health.
Ms Freitas, who had been a widow for more than 20 years, wanted to stay in her flat in Porthcawl and care arrangements were put in place.
Prosecutors said Stickler, who was working for Care Direct (Wales) Ltd, was one of her carers.
The court heard Mr Lewis, who helped his aunt with her financial affairs, was made aware her chequebook was missing.
He went to her home to look for it and found bank statements showing transactions she would not have made.
Prosecutors said Stickler used the victim’s chequebook and bank details to order herself clothes online from retailers including Peacocks, ASOS, Sports Direct, Fashion World and boohoo.
Mr Lewis, who had been supporting his aunt financially without her realising to reduce her anxieties about money, reported the matter to the care provider and the police.
South Wales Police began an investigation and discovered multiple fraudulent transactions amounting to more than £36,000.
The court heard Mrs Freitas died aged 97 in April this year and never knew the outcome of the investigation.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr Lewis said his aunt used to live in Neath, but moved to Porthcawl following her husband’s death. She had a child who died in infancy.
Stickler was arrested on July 13 and initially denied all knowledge, replying “no comment” to all the questions put to her in two police interviews.
Mr Roberts told the court he would not make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as any such order was not likely to be workable.
Stickler, 35, from Bryn Terrace in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of fraud.
Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Stickler abused a position of trust and responsibility and jailed her for two years.