Carer at home sent to jail for thieving
Woman, 53, abused system of trust at Camphill unit
A carer at an establishment for adults with learning disabilities who took a resident’s bank card and stole over £1300 has been locked up.
Jacqueline McKenzie, 53, took advantage of a system that gave her access to residents’ bank accounts at Camphill Community, Blair Drummond, and helped herself to cash from one resident’s account.
McKenzie, from McGrigor Court in St Ninians, pled guilty to accessing the account at various ATMs across the city between January and May last year, but bizarrely continued to deny stealing the cash.
McKenzie appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday (September 20) for sentencing.
The court heard how McKenzie was responsible for keeping files with residents’ money and topping them up when they ran low and keeping logs on all transactions in what was described as a ‘system of trust’.
McKenzie had been in discussions with the victim’s father over becoming a legal guardian and she contacted him to ask for a loan of £4,000 to clear some debt left by her ex-partner and later increased her request to £5,500.
Feeling uncomfortable about the request for the money, the resident’s father checked his daughter’s account online and noticed that more money was being withdrawn than normal.
Upon an internal audit, bosses at the care home spotted discrepancies with the financial records.
Fiscal depute Laura Knox said: “Members of staff were then spoken to and nobody knew anything about it.
“The accused then contacted the manager later that evening and said that she had a think about it and that she had withdrawn £400 for spending money for a trip and £200 for clothes (both for the victim).”
McKenzie was then suspended from work and the police were contacted. In May 2016 McKenzie then attended Falkirk Police Office and when questioned by officers she couldn’t explain what had happened and mentioned that she was in credit card debt.
The court also heard how McKenzie jetted off on a holiday to Cyprus in late 2015 and again flew out to Greece in April 2016 and also bought a new car.
She told police: “I know money went missing from the account but I’ve not taken it.”
Defence agent, Alan Cox said: “She had a good working relationship with residents.
“She was rocked back by the initial circumstances.
“The denial of taking the money remains absolute. The fault on her part remains in her not having logged it.
“Her career in the care sector, which she enjoyed, will be brought to an end given her plea in this matter.”
Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said: “I can’t place any regard on the explanation given which is in contrary to the plea tendered.
“This was persistent and repeated over four months and your explanation minimises the sums involved.
“This is an offence which involves a great breach of trust against a vulnerable individual” McKenzie was jailed for five months. A spokesperson for Camphill Community said: “Ms McKenzie was employed as a House Leader at Camphill Blair Drummond.
“As part of a regular internal audit in June 2016, we identified financial discrepancies and immediately commenced an investigation in line with our Disciplinary Procedures, with Ms McKenzie suspended from her post.
“Police Scotland were notified as were the Care Inspectorate and appropriate local authorities as per our Adult Support & Protection Policy & Procedures.
“As part of our internal investigation, we reviewed our financial procedures to ensure that they remain robust.
“Ms McKenzie resigned from her position of employment prior to the disciplinary hearing that we had arranged.
“Since then, this has been a Police Scotland matter and we note the sentence which has been issued by the court today (Wednesday).”