Care worker who stole to fund drug habit struck off

Heroin user was jailed for preying on the vulnerable and elderly

A crooked care worker who preyed on vulnerable and elderly residents in Perthshire to feed his heroin habit has been struck off.

Tomasz Lacki targeted seven victims, aged 74 to 91, at care homes and sheltered housing complexes.

He was jailed for eight months in November by Sheriff William Wood who described his actions as “despicable”.

Now the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has formally removed Lacki from the register.

The watchdog found his fitness to practice was impaired at a hearing held during lockdown.

Perth Sheriff Court was told how Lacki, 35, came face-to-face with some of his victims as he invaded their homes.

One 90-year-old resident saw him in her home, carrying a large bag of her medication, the court was told.

On another occasion, an 81-year-old went to the toilet at her home, and came out to find Lacki standing in her living room doorway.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said: “She asked him to leave, and he said he was looking for someone. She then went into the living room and saw her purse had been stolen.

“Later, she heard the doorbell ring and her purse was returned on the doorstep but with £150 missing.”

“Her purse was returned... but with £150 missing. DEPUTE FISCAL MICHAEL SWEENEY

Solicitor Billy Somerville said that his client had problems with heroin.

Lacki, of Murrayfield Loan, Crieff, originally faced 13 charges, but admitted seven offences of either theft or being in a home with intent to commit theft.

He admitted being in two properties in Crieff with intent to commit theft on August 31, stealing a wallet from a Perth address on September 11 and trying to steal from another address in the same street on the same day.

He further admitted trying to steal from two homes in Perth on September 23. Two days later he stole a purse and its contents from an address in Crieff.

The SSSC declined to comment.