WOMAN, 92, FLEECED BY TRUSTED PAL
■ AN Ashbourne woman abused the trust and friendship of a 92-year-old woman to fleece her of almost £30,000, a court heard. Fundraiser Pauline Clarke bought a caravan, went on holidays, nights out and shopping trips with the cash she took from her vulnerable victim living in care home.
AN Ashbourne woman abused the trust and friendship of a 92-year-old woman to fleece her of almost £30,000, a court has heard.
Pauline Clarke bought a caravan, went on holidays, nights out and shopping trips with the cash she took from her elderly and vulnerable victim.
The 64-year-old fundraiser moved money from her socalled friend’s account to that of her own husband.
And when the law did catch up with her, she said she had the full permission to have the funds and even asked if the care home where the victim resided might be involved in stealing the tens of thousands.
Jailing her for 20 months, Judge Robert Egbuna said: “You were considered by the victim as a member of her family. So trusted were you by this then 92-year-old woman, in May 2018, she made you Power of Attorney over her financial affairs.
“During that time she had been extremely generous to you, paying for holidays in excess of £1,000 and even arranging for a direct debit to be paid into your account of some £600. You abused that position to assist your lifestyle.
“You bought a caravan so you could go on holiday, made improvements to your home, bought new furniture and went on nights out.
“You made payments into your husband’s account and in total took more than £29,000 from her. But I have read how you also attempted to take a further £25,000 which was viewed as suspicious and you dropped that request to £15,000.
“That shows the amount of avarice and greed that you had at the time.”
The sentencing hearing was heard over a link from Doncaster Crown Court, rather than Derby Crown Court, as Clarke has mobility and health issues.
Eddie Leonard, prosecuting, said Clarke and the victim were neighbours for 18 years and were such good friends that in May 2018 the defendant was made Power of Attorney to the victim’s financial affairs.
She said quickly afterwards money was regularly withdrawn or moved into Clarke’s husband’s account.
Miss Leonard said: “There were multiple online purchases and many cash withdrawals.
“On February 25, 2019, £2,000 was paid towards a caravan and the day after a further £10,000 was transferred.
“Money paid for multiple nights out in bars, trips to the shops, new bedroom furniture.”
Miss Leonard said by early 2019 the victim had moved into a care home where she became distressed she was no longer able to see her bank statements.
She said a deputy manager at the home arranged to take the victim to her bank where the fraud was discovered.
Miss Leonard said: “The victim knew her memory was going and she worried what this effect might have on (her giving evidence at) the court case, she was struggling to sleep at night and getting more distressed.
“The defendant was interviewed and denied any wrongdoing saying all of the money she had taken was with the victim’s authority and permission and said she wondered if the care home could be involved.
“Up until then she was going to be the beneficiary of the (victim’s) will but that has now changed because of the abuse of trust.”
Clarke, of Malbon’s Yard, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of power and has no previous convictions.
In mitigation, a reference of support was handed to the judge which had been provided by a former Mayor of Ashbourne.
Justin Ablott, Clarke’s barrister, said his client and her husband both suffered health issues and that she acted as his carer.
He said: “She worked in care homes for 26 years and has been a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion.
“This was not a premeditated plan but the use of that account became normalised when it should not have done.
“There is a great deal of shame and genuine remorse and she acknowledges she has let the victim down very badly along with her family and herself.”